Just like that, chance to defend the Nairobi region rugby 15s title slipped through Dagoretti High School's fingers.
This was an outing the last year's champions will want to forget, quickly. They lost 16-8 to rivals Upper Hill 16-8 in a semi-final clash of the ongoing regional games at St Mary's School.
Driven by the desire to be in the final, the two sides were charged from the onset but it was Dagoretti's Salim Owino who wanted it more as he led his side to the much-needed victory and increase his side's chances of recapturing the title they lost to Upper Hill in 2019.
Upper Hill will today lock horns with the highly-fancied Ofafa Jericho who saw off Lenana School 15-10 in the other last four tie.
Stakes are high for Upper Hill. They are a team on a mission. To reclaim their title and seal the ticket to national games, and also avenge last year's rugby 7s final loss to Ofafa.
For Upper Hill captain Rowan Ambani, they have reached a point of no-return.
"It has not been easy for us, we have had to put in more effort and work harder because after losing a title the only option is going back to the drawing board," Rowan said.
In hockey, former Nairobi region champions Nairobi School laboured to a 4-3 win in a penalty shootout against last year's finalists Highway in a pulsating quarter-finals clash.
Nairobi School had Allan Mutambo to thank for, as he utilised his eight seconds well, before outwitting Highway goalkeeper Francis Munga to sound the board and break the deadlock.
The two sides had played to a barren draw in regular time before tying 3-3 after the shootout.
Mutambo, Brian Ngadi and Clinton Atoi scored for Nairobi School while Wesley Shikanga, Anderson Gitau and Mike Thande were on the spot for Highway.
Nairobi School put Mutambo and Ngadi to task while Highway's hopes were on Gideon Kazungu who had missed his penalty and Gitau.
"Competition is very tough and every team here is fighting for a ticket to the nationals. We are taking a game at a time though our main objective is to qualify," Mutambo said.
At Meru School, Eastern boys' basketball champions Lukenya School made their intentions to retain their title known with a resounding 102-15 victory against Garbatula in a lopsided encounter.
Garbatula never turned up against a fluid Lukenya and by the end of the first quarter, it was clear that their fate had been sealed as they trailed 4-35. The second quarter saw Lukenya slow down their pace allowing Garbatula to enjoy the game.
Lukenya would still overpower them to stretch their lead to 51-11 at the breather. On resumption, Lukenya made light work of Garbatula in the second half for a 51-4 score.
Angelo Mabior Angelo starred for Lukenya with 22 points while Issa Said was Garbatula's top scorer with seven points.
In another boys' encounter, Mbooni Boys were off to flying start beating Kangaru School 58-22.
