Kakamega bully off Kenya's 15s rugby title defence

KENYA SECONDARY SCHOOLS TERM 1SPORTS (RUGBY 1) Benjamin Sore of Kakamega (with the ball) try to move past St Joseph during the start of brookside Kenya Secondary school sports Association Term 1 Games at Nakuru Boys High School on 14-04-2015 PHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU

Former Brookside East Africa Secondary Schools rugby 15s champions Kakamega begin their campaign this morning against national champions Bungoma in an all-Kenyan match to be played at the Eldoret Sports Club. In another tie, first-timers Moi Sirgoi of Kenya will lock horns with last year’s bronze medallists Hanna Mixed of Uganda as they seek a memorable entry to the East Africa scene.

Kakamega, who boast four East Africa titles will be out to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish. However, they face an uphill task as they take on a side that beat them in the semi-finals at the nationals forcing them to fight for third place. Sirgoi on the other hand will be out to impress just as they did at the nationals. Sirgoi captain Derrick Akwona told Feverpitch that they will give the match their best. "We are fighters and just like we did at the nationals we are determined to go all the way and secure a podium finish," Akwona said. In an all-Ugandan show Namilyango will play Makerere.

In rugby 7s national champions, Laiser Hill take on St Peter’s Mumias before facing Uganda’s Kololo. Upper Hill be up against St Mary’s Kisubi after playing St Peter’s in their opener.

In volleyball, national queens AIC Kosirai face off with Soweto Academy in a repeat of the Kenyan national finals while Lugulu play Sega Girls. In the boys' contest, Tetu and Sengera face unfamiliar opponents in hunt of their first victories. Defending champions GS Indagaburezi of Rwanda will launch their defence against Trust High of Uganda whereas St Aloys (Rwanda) take on Kinawa of Uganda.

In the boys contest, Tetu play Lycee de Nyanza of Rwanda in hunt of their first victory. Sengera will be out in hunt of their first win when they play Buremba of Uganda.

In handball, former regional champions Moi Girls Kamusinga tackle Mbogo of Uganda.

Meanwhile, event sponsors Brookside Dairy affirmed their commitment to nurturing talent and fostering the East Africa unity through sponsorship of the secondary school games. “We are committed to this course because we believe that by bringing students together through sports, we are setting the stage for a stronger and united East Africa,’’ Marketing Manager Peter Wasonga said on behalf of Brookside Dairy Executive Chairman Muhoho Kenyatta during the opening ceremony in Eldoret.