REVENGE SERVED COLD: Kakamega right all wrongs Bungoma Boys committed

Alvin Wanjala of Kakamega High School, in action against Bungoma High School during their East Africa Secondary School Games rugby match at Eldoret sports Club, Uasin Gishu County on August 29, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

For the Italian mafioso, revenge is a dish best served cold.

For former East Africa rugby 15s champions Kakamega, the time for vengeance against rivals Bungoma High arrived when they met yesterday in the ongoing Brookside Dairy East Africa Secondary School Games in Eldoret.

They rubbed their hands in glee at the chance to make up for their past misfortunes at the hands of Bungoma. For Kakamega’s captain, Wiseman Aganya, and his charges, the sad memories of their elimination in the semi-finals was still fresh in their minds and ignited their desire to settle the scores.

Kakamega launched their attack from the onset, pinning their opponents in their own territory for the better part of the game. However, determined not to let their chance for revenge pass by, the four-time East Africa champions charged on and not even the giant of a boy, Abel Matanda, manning the Bungoma defence, could stop them as Benjamin Sore outwitted him to touch down.

Chrisant Ojuang converted Sore’s effort to give his side a 7-0 lead. Ojuang, who was the lead scorer for Kakamega with nine points, went ahead to score two drop penalties and also converted Brian Kubai’s try to give Kakamega a deserving 21-9 conquest. Eric Otieno starred for Bungoma, scoring three penalties, but his efforts were not good enough.

“We all wanted to beat them (Bungoma) because that was the only way we could avenge our loss at the nationals. In addition, we are here to reclaim our title because we believe it has its rightful place with us,” Aganya told Feverpitch. Kakamega last won the East Africa title in 2013, lost it to Maseno in 2014 and finished a distant fourth last year.

Regional debutants Moi Sirgoi suffered a 10-11 loss to 2009 and 2011 champions Hanna Mixed of Uganda.

Kenya’s Rugby Sevens representatives led by national champions Laiser Hill Academy outclassed their guests, downing them one by one to enhance their chances of winning this year’s crown. Upper Hill were the first to take on Uganda’s St Mary’s Kisubi and they did not disappoint as they thrashed them 45-0 to register their first victory.

Rwanda’s Mukingi, who are tasked with defending the title their counterpart Ste. Famille won last year, were next in line for Upper Hill and the Kenyan boys delivered as they trounced them 29-14.