Top guns advance

By OSCAR PILIPILI

National Secondary Schools hockey champions Kapkoilel girls and St Anthony’s boys have qualified for National Secondary Schools Championships scheduled for Maseno School next month.

Kapkoilel beat Poror 4-0 in an exciting final at Nakuru High School and got opportunity to defend the crown that they won on their maiden appearance at the National Games when the event was hosted by Kakamega High last year.

Lilian Cherop notched a brace, while Basilia Cheruiyot and Caren Chelangat contributed one goal each to help Kapkoilel advance.

A delighted Kapkoilel coach Moses Koech said: "I’m happy that my team has maintained form and the victory shows that they are a force to reckon with in girls hockey in the country."

"We’re now focused on the National Games and we’re ready to face any challenge and retain the trophy," he added.

Koech predicted that East African champions Kerugoya and teams from Nyanza are the opponents to watch at Maseno.

"We know Kerugoya are planning to come and revenge but we’re ready to face them," he said.

Kapkoilel edged out Kerugoya 1-0 in a tough final played at Kakamega High to lift the title on their first appearance at national level last season.

Kapkoilel beat Afraha 2-1 in a semi-final that Koech viewed as the toughest match they played in the provincials.

In the boys’ category, East Africa and national champions St Anthony emerged victorious beating Kapenguria 3-0 in the final.

Kapkoilel placed second team in the nationals after their girls’ basketball side beat Moi Girls Eldoret 36-27 in the final.

In the boys’ category, national and East Africa Games kings Laiser Hill beat Kapenguria 96-24 in the final and will now defend their local title in Maseno.

RECORDED HAT-TRICK

Elsewhere, East African girls’ hockey queens Kerugoya were crowned as Kirinyaga County champions.

Kerugoya humiliated Kabare 12-0 in a one-sided final with Grace Wanjala and Eva Njogu recording a hat-trick each.

Kerugoya faced little opposition in the tournament where they recorded 36 goals in three matches.

The team that is coached by Joseph Maina overwhelmed Karoti 14-0 and went ahead to dismiss Ngiriambu 10-0 before beating Kabare in the final match.

Kerugoya lost 1-0 against Kapkoilel in last year’s nationals but turned tables to clinch regional trophy in Mbarara, Uganda.

Despite losing in the final Kabare joins Kerugoya in representing Kirinyaga County at Central Province Southern Zone Games.

The region brings together teams from Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Kirinyaga Counties.

Kabare avenged in girls’ basketball after they breezed past Kerugoya 29-3 in the final. Both teams qualify for the zonals.

Kerugoya boys who neighbours the girls’ school they share name with, lost 2-1 against Kianyaga in a tough but entertaining sevens rugby final encounter.