SCORPIONS STING: Strathmore edge Sliders to top KHU women's league standings

Orange Betsy Ommalla (l) and Strathmore Gilly Okumu fight for the ball when they played Vaisakhi Tournament 2015. Orange won 5-0. ON 27/04/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Last season women’s league first runner-up Strathmore University Scorpions shot to the top of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s league standings.

Strathmore’s 1-0 victory over Sliders has seen them top the women’s table with seven points from three matches. Yvonne Karanja’s 54th minute goal was all the Scorpions needed to bag the three points.

Defending champions Orange Telkom are second, a point adrift of the league leaders with one match in hand. Sliders remain in the third spot even after suffering two straight defeats. United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) are fourth with three points from two matches while Vikings are fifth with a point.

Butali Sugar Warriors remain at the summit of the men’s premier league table with 15 points from six matches. Police are second with 12 points after they suffered a 2-1 loss to Western Jaguars in Kakamega at the weekend. Strathmore Gladiators are third tied on nine points with Jaguars but with a superior goal difference.

Greensharks hit two time champions Strathmore University Gladiators 2-0 to register their first victory of the season. The victory saw them jump two places to 10th place with five points. Sharks suffered two consecutive losses to defending champions Butali Warriors (3-0) and Police (2-1). Greensharks head coach Nixon Nyangaga told FeverPitch: “This win is very fundamental as it has boosted our confidence and brought us back into the competition, we now focus on our next tie with victory in mind.” Greensharks International midfielder Leon Magomere beat Strathmore shot stopper Lewis Mawira to give Sharks the lead a minute to the half hour mark.

Sharks skipper Samuel Mucheke sealed the victory in 56th minute to earn them their first victory of the season.

In other Premier League encounters Wazalendo held United States International University of Africa to a 3-3 draw to gain their first point. Elly Mwangi, Sam Wekesa and Job Ondiro scored for Wazalendo while Bill Olang Lawrence Okubasu and Captain Brian Makokha found the back of the net for students.

Thika Rovers secured their third straight win after beating Karate Axiom 2-1 in their men’s Second Division tier. Rovers, who are eying Premier League promotion, have been on a winning streak and are yet to lose a match.

They are now in second place tied on nine points with league leaders Chase Sailors but with an inferior goal difference. Parkroad Tigers are third with seven points while Wazalendo Youth are fourth with four points.

Wazalendo Youth added to the misery of the University of Nairobi students, handing them a 4-1 thrashing. UoN began the season on a low note and have lost all their matches.