Menengai Oilers produced a commanding display to overpower Strathmore Leos 24-12 and lift the Christie 7s title at the RFUEA Grounds on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on the 2026 SportPesa National 7s Circuit in style.
The Oilers recovered from an early setback to take control of the final, using their physicality, attacking pace and clinical finishing to put the varsity side under sustained pressure.
Strathmore Leos made the brighter start and were rewarded when Collins Maina broke through the Oilers defence. Maina showed good strength to fend off Glacious Owino before touching down, handing Leos an early 5-0 advantage.
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Oilers, however, quickly settled into the contest and began to find gaps in the Strathmore defensive line.
John Okoth was instrumental in their response, linking up with Okeyo before the ball was moved to Veron Kaburu, who finished the move to bring the scores level at 5-5.
The momentum had shifted towards Oilers and they soon went in front.
Glacious Owino found space on the left flank and crossed for another try, with the conversion successfully added to give Oilers a 12-5 advantage.
Strathmore tried to regain their footing before the break, but the Oilers defence remained organised and denied the Leos a route back into the contest.
Menengai Oilers therefore headed into the interval with a 12-5 lead and all the momentum on their side.
The second half saw Oilers turn the screw. Philip Okeyo produced a telling offload after combining with his brother John Okoth, putting Paul Mutsami into space. Mutsami made no mistake as he raced over the line to score another try for Oilers.
The conversion was successful, extending their advantage to 19-5 and leaving Leos with a mountain to climb.
Oilers were not finished. Their attacking pressure continued to expose gaps in the Strathmore defence, and Chrispine Shitundo capped another impressive passage of play by touching down for Oilers’ fourth try.
With another successful conversion, Oilers opened up a commanding 24-5 lead and appeared to have the final firmly in their grasp.
Strathmore mounted a late fightback as they looked to salvage something from the final. Aymon Wamalwa crossed for a consolation try and converted it himself to reduce the deficit to 24-12.
The late resurgence, however, came too late to alter the outcome.
The final whistle confirmed Menengai Oilers as Christie 7s champions, sealing their place as one of the standout winners of the 2026 SportPesa National 7s Circuit.
Their triumph also made them the only side outside the traditional KCB and Kabras dominance to win a circuit leg this season.
Kabras claimed the Dala 7s and Driftwood 7s titles, while KCB enjoyed a highly successful campaign, winning the Prinsloo 7s, Kabeberi 7s and Embu 7s.
For Oilers, the Christie 7s victory provided the perfect ending to their campaign and demonstrated that the gap between the established circuit heavyweights and the chasing pack is narrowing.
The final also capped an entertaining Christie 7s weekend, with Menengai Oilers proving the strongest side when the stakes were highest and finishing the circuit on a winning note.