Kakamega power into quarters: Former schools champions advance in Great Rift-10-a-side tourney

By BEN AHENDA

Titus Kinyanjui of New Dawn Educational Centre finds his way past Uhuru Secondary player at the day one of Great Rift 10-a-side contest at Athletics Club Nakuru, yesterday.  [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/ STANDARD]

Former National Secondary Schools  Sevens champions Kakamega High started well by winning all their three preliminary matches as the Great Rift-10-a-side Secondary Schools championships kicked-off at Nakuru Athletic Club yesterday.

As a result, Kakamega romped into the quarter-finals of the tournament, which is in its sixth edition, and a curtain raiser to the Main Competition that commence at the same venue this morning.

In their first Pool C match, Kakamega defeated Elburgon 49-0, smashed Kirobon 57-0 and slashed Nakuru Academy 22-0.

Against Elburgon, Ayati Nakuto, Manoan Majani, Rodgers Gwaro, Mark Isano and Andrew Alya scored seven tries for Kakamega as Brayan Oganda and Patrick Elkings made two conversions.

Against Nakuru Academy, Kakamega scored four tries through Rogasian Odhiambo, Dominic Wendo and Cedric Eugene and a conversion through Josephat Kimani.

In Pool A matches, Langa Langa dismissed Moi Secondary 34-0 with

Nickson Onyango and Douglas Warutere each touching for a 10-0 half time lead.

In the second half, Macharia Anthony and Vincent Oduor scored two tries each as Chrispine Onyango and Alvin Ngige did not mess with their conversions.

In another Pool A match, Nakuru Academy walloped Pioneer 29-5 in a fast encounter as Langa Langa hit Pioneer 28-0 in another match.

On their part, Njoro Boys dismissed Uhuru Secondary 19-0 in the first Pool B match.

James Mbogo and James Kamau each touched down twice with the latter converting his tries to stretch his team to a comfortable victory.

New Dawn hammered Uhuru Secondary 57-0 in another Pool B match.

In Pool D matches, Menengai High School dismissed Muthaiti 17-5 in their first match.

Justus Ndung’u scored two tries for as Samuel Oduor added another before Anthony Kibet converted made a conversion for the winners.

In their second match, Menengai lost 38-0 to Nakuru Day Secondary to blow their chances of making it to the quarterfinals.

In the Under 12 Mini-Rugby championships, Top Fry Nakuru RFC slashed Baharini 12-0 with Derrick Omondi and Joseph Kariuki scoring the three conversions as Peter Mwangi only managed a conversion.

In other matches, Living Fountain lost 10-5 to Kaptembwa as New Lifeclobbered Baharini 20-5.

Top Fry Nakuru RFC dismissed Living Fountain 15-0 in their second encounter and later drew 5-5 with Resolution Impala Saracens.

On their part, Resolution Impala Saracens lost 10-15 to Baharini as New Hope walloped Living Fountain 25-0.

In the Under 15 championships,. Resolution Impala Saracens defeated Kenyatta Primary School 15-0.

Other matches saw Community Rugby Association(CRA) win their two matches 25-0 against Baharini before their(CRA) ladies team defeated Top Fry Nakuru RFC 10-0.

Meanwhile, Community Rugby Association(CRA) chairman  Patrick Lamok has hailed the tournament for improving standards of rugby at the grass roots.

“There are great talents at such tournament,” he told FeverPitch in an interview.

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