Focus shifts to national contest

Mwalimu Rabon (right) of St. Georges Secondary School attempts to avoid a tackle from Patrick Njoroge (left) of Hongwe secondary school from Lamu County during the Mombasa Region Secondary Schools Term one ball games at Malindi High School in Kilifi County, March 26, 2015. St. Georges won 28-7. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

Menengai High School secured a ticket to this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One games after winning the Rift Valley Region rugby 15s title.

Menengai, the reigning national rugby 7s champions, beat Kapsabet Boys 10-0 in yesterday’s regional final at St Joseph’s Boys School, Kitale. 

They now join last year’s national and East Africa bronze medalists Upper Hill, who qualified last weekend in Nairobi Region.

Menengai coach Evans Adenya said focus has now shifted to the national games where they will be battling for a ticket to the East Africa games set for August in Rwanda.

“We are now determined to go all the way to Rwanda, all our focus and efforts will be on preparation for the national games. We will also try and successfully defend the 7s title, but it is a tall order because 15s takes most of the players which only means we can’t have a stronger side for 7s,” Adenya said.

Once again, Austin Sikutwa did not disappoint as he put his side on the path to victory with a penalty in the first half, giving Menengai a 3-0 lead at half-time. Edward Mwaura touched down in the second half with Sikutwa successfully converting to earn them victory.

In athletics, Catherine Reline of Kapsait Secondary School clocked 16 minutes, 48.8 seconds to win the girls’ 5000m. Shantel Cheptoo of Winners School Nakuru crossed the line 2.2 seconds later to take runners up spot while Fancy Chepkorir was third in 17:22.6.

Gladys Kibet triumphed in girls 5000m walk after 26:39.1 with Diana Chepkurui and Brenda Kimutai finishing second and third in 26:49.1 and 27:20.1. 

In Coast Region, St George's High School of Kilifi face Mombasa’s Shimo La Tewa in boy’s hockey final today at Kenyatta Mwatate High School, Taita Taveta County. The two teams will be fighting for a ticket to the national games set for Embu next month.

St Georges laboured to edge out Mazera Boys of Kwale County 1-0 in a tensed but action packed match on a slippery ground following heavy rains.

In the second semi-final, Shimo La Tewa and St Charles' Lwanga battled to a barren draw in an all-Mombasa semi-final in normal time before proceeding for penalty flicks. During the flicks, Shimo La Tewa beat St Charles Lwanga 2-1 and qualify for today’s final.

In one of the highest scoring girl’s hockey matches, St John's Kaloleni of Kilifi beat Murray Girls from Taita Taveta 11-0. The girls from Taita were outplayed in all departments and could not cope with the fleet-footed saints.

Kwale Girls also beat Murray Girls 5-0 as Galana became the first team to power their way to the semi-finals.