Strathmore Scorpions ready to sting reigning champions Blazers

Strathmore University captain Tamunai Kipsang (Left) and Beryl Atieno of Wolverines during last weekend's KHU Premier League match at City Park. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women’s Premier League leaders Strathmore University Scorpions will be hoping to maintain their perfect start to the 2022 season when they face Blazers today at City Park.

Scorpions are top of the seven-team women’s league with six points after winning their opening two matches of the new season against Dutch Flower Group (DFG) Wolverines and Sliders.

Last week, national women’s hockey team striker Gilly Okumu scored the winning goal as Scorpions narrowly saw off the Wolverines 1-0 after previously thrashing Sliders 3-0.

Scorpions captain Lynn Tamunai Kipsang said they will be banking on their two consecutive wins to lift them when they face defending champions Blazers at 4pm.

“The 2022 season is an interesting one for us considering we are rebuilding. This is a new team comprising mostly juniors who are trying to find their ground,” Tamunai told Standard Sports.

“However, that doesn’t mean we can’t compete. As you have seen, we are a united team working hard and using our greatest weapon, speed and energy to win matches.

“We are going to give it all against Blazers. You can’t buy experience but we can give them seed. If we defend well and use our chances well, I believe we have a chance.”

The national team midfielder said their burst in form despite the KHU Leagues resuming just two weeks ago after a two-year break that was occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic is because of hard work and participating in the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) games.

“For us, we have been lucky. We started playing and training in January and also the fact that we played in the KUSA games helped us build the team chemistry and scrap off any rustiness,” said Tamunai.

Blazers head into the match after being held to a 1-1 draw by USIU-A Spartans women’s team. The champions are second on the log with four points.

The other women’s Premier League match today will feature Amira Sailors taking on bottom placed Sliders who are winless in their last three matches. Sliders have lost against Blazers (3-0), USIU-A (2-0) and Strathmore (3-0).

Elsewhere, defending KHU men’s Premier League champions Butali Warriors will be seeking to make it two wins in arrow when they take on rivals Kenya Police at City Park from 6pm today.

Both teams have won their opening matches and jointly lead the standings.

Warriors thrashed Greensharks 3-0 last week courtesy of new signing Festus Onyango, captain Constant Wakhura and Shammath Ademba’s goals.

Tomorrow, Greensharks will be out to redeem themselves when they host Strathmore University men.