Upsets, disappointments and heartbreak marked the final day of this year’s Metropolitan Region secondary schools as new champions were crowned.
Hosts Laiser who had a successful year in 2015 in 15s rugby winning all the way to East Africa schools games, were reduced to second best as Upper Hill assumed the reins at the helm of the region’s rugby yesterday.
Johnstone Olindi’s penalty goal three minutes to the whistle was the difference as Upper won 15-14 and with it came their maiden regional title and a ticket to the nationals.
Olindi told Feverpitch that the match was tough but it was mere courage that so them down the East Africa champions.
“It was a tough match. We were up against the best team in the region and we were a bit tense at the beginning. However, after taking the lead we gathered courage and vowed not to relent and I am delighted our efforts paid off,’’ Olindi said.
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Olindi added that they will carry their fighting spirits to the national level. Captain Phares Mbadi led his charges from the front with a try while Jonathan Madrugada followed suit with another touchdown.
Laiser Hill will have themselves for their loss as they failed to use the entire field confining themselves to one side of the field. Their poor judgement gave Upper an upper hand as they easily contained them lowering their chances of scoring.
Daniel Nzomo was the star for Laiser scoring a try and two conversions while William Difu scored a try.
Upper Hill also won the basketball title as they dominated the defending champions Laiser Hill 62-56 in the final.
Upper Hill won the first quarter 19-12, but, Laiser Hill recovered to snatch the second 16-10.
With the title at stake Upper Hill regained their footing to take the third and fourth quarters 11-15 and 17-18.
Riley Riny and Riak Machuol topped the scores for Upper Hill with17 and 14 points. Koki Rior (14) and Teddy Ochieng (13) were best scorers for Laiser Hill.
In the girls’ category Buruburu reclaimed the title with a 46-39 victory over Parklands Arya.
Stacy Muraguri was the lead scorer for Buruburu with 13 points while Ivy Picho scored 12. Ledisha Jelimo and Hamida Suleiman starred for Arya with 11 and ten points.
