Water queens reign as hosts NYS-NHU feel the heat in Kenya Handball Federation national league matches

Nairobi Water handball team captain Gladys Chilo trains at Nyayo National Stadium last week ahead of their league match against Ulinzi at the weekend. [PHOTO:JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Nairobi Water Queens showed their prowess by winning their weekend fixtures. The champions defeated Ulinzi 42-21 in their first match of the season.

The Water girls, who are preparing for the forthcoming 36th edition of African Club championship set for October 8-19 in Tunisia, took a 22-10 lead in the breather.

In their second match, Nairobi Water thrashed Strathmore University 30-11 as the Kenya Handball Federation national league entered the third round over the weekend at the National Youth Service grounds, Ruaraka.

Magdalene Muturi and Faith Mukhala emerged top scorers for the winners with five goals each as Diana Njoki scored four for the university students.

Strathmore put their disappointments behind to beat newcomers National Youth Service National Holding Unit 22-12.

Strathmore, who took a slim 9-5 lead in the first half, managed to hold onto it to the last whistle. National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) women’s team continued with their fine run in the league, defeating Kenyatta University 24-14.

NCPB, who were leading 10-9 at half time, changed tactics that favoured them to register the deserved win.

Jerioth Wanjiku and Kate Akoth scored seven goals each for NCPB and Kenyatta University respectively.

Mount Kenya University beat hosts, NYS-NHU 29-11 in another encounter in the women’s matches as Ulinzi Youth recorded a 28-21 win over Makongeni in the men’s category before NCPB hit NYS-NHU 27-12. 

Black Mamba, the 2012 champions, who have had a bad season this year, lost yet again to Mount Kenya University by 42-40 as on-form Ulinzi defeated NYS Engineering 50-14.

Strathmore University added salt to already injured Makongeni with a 25-16 win.

Playing at the home ground did not favour NYS-NHU who yet again suffered their second defeat (28-18) by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) as NCPB  got free points after their opponents Boomerang failed to honour their fixture before defeating Makongeni 33-18 in their third match of the weekend.

Mamba salvaged three points out of the possible nine in their last match when they defeated NYS-NHU 38-21. It was a bad weekend for the hosts, NYS-NHU who yet again failed to impress when they went down by 35-13 against Kenyatta University.

Solomon Luhai and Melvin Obongo scored seven each for Kenyatta University and NYS-NHU respectively.

In another encounter, Strathmore defeated NYS Engineering 33-15 with Reshid Ingwela managing eight goals for the university students, while Francis Njoroge had seven on his name for the hosts. JKUAT humiliated Multi Media University 38-18 in another fixture. 

Makongeni earned their three points of the weekend when they defeated NYS Engineering 30-18 in another encounter as Mount Kenya University were awarded a walk-over against Boomerang.

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