School Games: Kaplong show their power in Bomet County

Kaplong Boys students celebrate after beating Tenwek High school in the football title.[Gilbert Kimutai,Standard]

Neighbouring schools Kaplong Boys High School and Kaplong Girls High School are basking in the euphoria of emerging top at the Bomet County school games.

The schools won football titles as the curtains fell on the secondary schools term two ‘B’ games at Kaplong Primary School grounds on Friday.

In boys competition, Kaplong had to employ all the tricks in the book before edging out arch-rivals Tenwek High School in post-post match penalties in front of the home fans who thronged the field to witness the thrilling final match.

The two teams had played out a barren draw in regular time before match referee resorted to the penalty rule to break the deadlock.

It was a sweet revenge for Kaplong Boys after losing to Tenwek 1-0 during preliminary stage.

Kaplong under the tutelage of Chief Principal Mike Yator, converted their penalties through Dennis Mogaka and Gideon Cheruiyot while Tenwek got their goal through David Sapur, who is a form one student.

On their way to finals, Kaplong Boys beat Chemasingi High School by a solitary goal while Tenwek beat Olbutyo Boys High School 2-1 in the other semi.

Immediately after the match, Yator told the Standard Sports that “You cannot beat a man twice.”

Yator shed tears of joy as his students carried him shoulders high around the field in celebration.

In girls match, favourites Kaplong Girls were stretched before eliminating hard fighting Meswondo Secondary school 6-5 in penalties after a goalless draw.

Enroute to the finals,Kaplong Girls beat Chebonei Girls 1-0 as Meswondo dismissed Cheboin Secondary School by a similar margin.

In 3x3 basketball, Tenwek High school were declared the winners after they over powered minnows Boito Secondary school 21-11.

On their way to the finals, the Boniface Obima-led Tenwek whitewashed Kipsuter boys 22- 0 while Boito beat Kapletundo 18-13.

“My players were determined to lift the trophy in the new 3x3 basketball competition and they showed team work and managed to emerge winners,” Obima said.

He said they have now set their eyes on the regional stage saying the players have proofed to be a national material.

“The team is fit and I am very optimistic that we will be a team to watch in the regional competition,” Obima said.

In the girl’s category Kaplong Girls triumphed against rivals Chebonei Girls 15-13.

In the semis, Kaplong Girls hammered Siwot Secondary School 21-0 while Chebonei beat Saseta 18-6 to reach the finals.

In volleyball, Kiptulwa Secondary and Kaboson Girls successfully defended their titles.

Kiptulwa had to apply all the tricks in the book to defeat a hard fighting Tenwek High school in a thrilling five-setter match. Kiptulwa won 3-2 (25-21, 21-25, 25-19,19-25, 15-12).

To book a place in the finals, Kiptulwa beat Kitala Secondary 3-2 (26-24,21-25, 25-14,17-25, 15-11), while Tenwek came from a set down to win against Kipsuter 3-1 (25-27, 28-25, 25-20, 25-17).

Longisa Boys High School proofed to be a rugby powerhouse in the county after they beat Olbutyo Boys 17-4 in the finals.

Kitala bet Kipsuter in the plays-off 3-1(21-25,25-19,25-16,25-20).

Kaboson Girls retained the volleyball title for the thirteenth time after overcoming a hard fighting Cheptalal girls 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-12).

Kaboson secured a ticket for the finals after beating Koibeyon Secondary 3-0 (25-5,25-6,25-6) as Cheptalal beat Ndaraweta girls a similar score.

Ndaraweta finished third after beating Koibeyon 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-13) in the play offs.

Menengai High School won the football title in Nakuru County Games to secure their ticket to the Rift Valley Secondary Schools Games to be held in Nyahururu next week, adds Ben Ahenda.