Hockey: Move over regulars, there are new sheriffs in town

Central Region Kerugoya Girls' Mitchel Akoth (left) clear ball on Deborah Masubu of Bura Girls, Coast region, during Kenya Secondary Schools term One games at State House Grounds on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Minnows Dr Ribeiro Parklands and Bura Girls upset the form book on their debut of Brookside Secondary Schools National Term One Games.

Parklands edged regulars Kisumu Day 1-0, while Bura humbled four-time East Africa and former national champions Kerugoya in the boys’ and girls’ hockey contests.

Moses Muigai’s 55th minute was enough to give Parklands a memorable entry to the national scene. The two sides fought to a barren draw in the first half as they both lost numerous chances. Parklands were a better side in the second half and their efforts finally paid off. Kisumu Day pushed for an equaliser, but Parklands defended well and hang on to their lead, before securing maximum points.

An ecstatic Parklands coach Eric Nyamweya said their goal was to win the opening match.

Musingu drew 0-0 with Shimo La Tewa in another boys’ Group A match. In Group B, former national champions St Anthony’s Kitale of Rift Valley trounced Mung’u of Central 2-0. In another Group B match, hosts Upper Hill defeated Meru School of Eastern 1-0.

Angela Wema scored twice in the second and seventh minutes. Lilian Kinyua pulled one back for Kerugoya in the 14th minute, but Bura were not ready to lose their first match at the nationals and held on to the win.

Reigning champions Sinyolo Girls also began with a 1-0 victory over Moi Girls Nairobi. Maureen Awiti scored Sinyolo’s all-important goal.

In rugby, St Mary’s Yala of Nyanza thrashed Kangaru 52 -3 in their opening match at Nairobi School, while Nairobi Region champions Upper Hill won 26-8 over Central Region’s Alliance Boys in another encounter.