EASY DOES IT FOR ORANGE: Africa hockey champions continue with winning streak

Sports: Hockey- Orange vs USIU USIU Victoria Onsase(r) when they played Women National league at CityPark. Orange scored 2-O. ON 29/11/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Africa women hockey champions Orange Telkom defeated Sliders 7-0 to extend their dominance in the Kenya Hockey Union women's league.

Playing in their first match after winning the continental title in Lusaka last year, Orange were clearly the better side in that Sunday evening match at City Park Stadium.

Veteran Jacqueline Mwangi scored twice, while Betsy Ommala, Caroline Guchu, Maureen Okumu and Tracy Karanja scored one goal each for the champions.

Telkom's assistant coach Josephine Ataro was impressed with her team's performance, saying they were adapting well to their new system of play.

"We introduced a new system of play and it is working well for us because the results are quite impressive. The girls are playing a more organised game and if they keep up with the spirit, we will surely end the season on a high," Ataro said.

"We want to retain our title and end the season unbeaten. We also want to score more goals."

Telkom dominated the game from the first whistle, as they pressed hard in hunt for early goals, but Sliders were equal to the task. However, when international Omaido was presented with an opportunity to strike, she did have second thoughts.

She converted a penalty corner past Sliders' goalkeeper Kate Opicha as Orange enjoyed a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

In the 22nd minute, captain Ommala converted another penalty corner, which served as a wake-up call for Sliders. They upped their game, defending well and conjuring up some brilliant moves, all in the hope of containing the marauding Orange players.

But all the efforts came a cropper as Orange held on to their 2-0 lead heading into the break.

Champions Orange seemed to have perfected their penalty corners as their third and fourth goals came through successful conversions by Mwangi and Guchu in the 39th and 50th minutes.

Okumu scored a superb field goal two minutes later, while Karanja made it six in the 58th minute. Mwangi converted another penalty corner in the 64th minute and with that, Orange enjoyed yet another massive win.

In the men's Premier League, 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union rallied from behind to beat Parklands Sports Club 3-2. Erick Kidwaro put Parklands in the lead after 15 minutes.

Sikh's Shabaz Ali ensured parity in the 43rd minute, before Fredrick Okeyo got Parklands in control of the game in the 58th minute. Harvir Ghature levelled matters in the 67th minute, before veteran Wilson Otieno converted a penalty corner in the 69th minute to give Sikh the vital points.

Meanwhile, Kenya Police settled for a 1-1-draw against two-time champions Strathmore to secure a point.

The draw put them top of men's table with 41 points, one ahead of second-placed defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors.

Joseph Obare scored for the Gladiators in the 38th minute, while Samson Kibirir levelled for Police in the 53rd minute.

In the men's Second Division tier, Wazalendo Youth came from behind to beat Thika Rovers 2-1.