Moi, Lenana return to national hockey stage

Nairobi County Secondary Schools Association
Moi Girls' Hockey player Kassandra Dacha, right, dribble ball past Talya Herd of Hillcrest, left, Nairobi county Hockey champions against Hillcrest during the Nairobi County Secondary Schools Association games at City Park Stadium on Sunday, March 15th, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

Moi Girls Nairobi and Lenana School will return to the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association hockey nationals after a two-year absence. Moi trounced Mt Larvena, also of Nairobi, 3-0, while Lenana beat Tala Boys of Machakos County 2-1 to be crowned Metropolitan champions and seal their places at the nationals.

Moi edged out defending champions St Joseph's Kibwezi of Makueni County 1-0 in their semis to book a finals date with Mt Larvena. Sarah Achungo's goal in the second half was enough to end Kibwezi's title retention mission.

Moi head coach Olubayi Amai was pleased at their first goal of the year. "I'm very pleased the girls stuck to our plans, we now shift focus to the big task in the nationals."

Achungo scored a field goal in the 18th minute to give Moi the lead, Mercy Cherono hit the board twice in the 34th and in the 37th minutes to give Moi a convincing victory.

Olubayi noted that the battle at the nationals will not be a walk in the park as it brings together the best from all regions. His sentiments were echoed by Achungo who, however, said they will not be intimidated but will play their hearts out for better results.

"We will not fear any of our opponents, our aim is to play our best and register good results. We desire a top-four finish and will strive to make it happen," Achungo told FeverPitch.

While it was an easy sail for the girls, it was tough in the boys' encounter as Lenana fought hard against resilient Tala Boys to win in penalty shoot-outs after the game ended in a barren draw.

Lenana coach Victor Okune said they failed to score because of their system of play, which relies on a lone striker.

"We rely on one striker but in this game it worked against us because our main man Ernest Macharia was injured during the warm up. We had to change our plans, which was not easy for the boys."

In cross country, Riruta Central of Nairobi County dominated both the boys and girls events with brothers Andrew Lorot and Edwin Kibet finishing in the first and second positions in the 8km boys' race. Lorot clocked 24:46.01 ahead of Kibet (24:52.06) and Alfred Soit also from Riruta in 24:56.27.

In girls' 6km race, Winfred Mutule of Riruta Central won in 20:57.03 ahead of Victoria Mwikali of Ngoleni School, Machakos County (21:14.36) and Celliphine Cheptoek (Riruta) in 21:24.07.