Kisumu Day and hosts Maseno School Friday moved a step closer to qualifying for the regional games after kicking off the Kisumu County Secondary School Games on high by winning their matches in hockey, rugby and football.
With the top two slots guaranteed qualification to the Nyanza Region games set to be played at Homa Bay High School next month, 10-man Kisumu Day launched their county title campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Kasagam Mixed Secondary School.
Despite missing a first-half penalty and John Ouma red carded after collecting two yellow cards, the defending champions garnered the maximum points after Jephter Omondi scored a brace and Dan Ochieng adding a third.
In hockey, Dani Abud scored a hattrick as Kisumu Day ran riot against Ngere High thrashing them 7-0.
In the opening match of the day, Maseno School saw off Kisumu Boys 2-1 in a tensed encounter that attracted a huge crowd.
Alex Maranka bagged a brace after scoring in the second and third quarter as Washington Aluko grabbed the consolation for Kisumu Boys.
In rugby, Maseno School sailed through to the semifinals of the seven-aside category after thrashing Ngere 52-0 in the quarterfinals.
The hosts started the games on a high note after winning all their group matches. Maseno demolished Nyamasaria 29-0 and Ngere 27-0 respectively.
Maseno will now face Onjiko in the semis today.
Other results in rugby saw Onjiko edge Kisumu Boys 21-5, Nyamasaria defeated Ngere 17-5 as Magwar overcame Otieno Oyoo 10-5.
In Siaya, Nyamira Girls were crowned the Siaya County hockey champions after winning all their matches played in round-robin format.
The Bondo-based side kicked off their campaign with a a 4-0 win over Mbaga Girls on Thursday evening.
Friday, Nyamira edged out Lwak Girls 2-0 before punching their ticket to Homa Bay regionals with a 3-0 win over Nyawara Girls.
"The girls played very well despite the challenges we are facing and now we are waiting to know our opponents in the regionals. We have already started preparations towards the next games and our goal remains to get to East Africa," said Eliakim Akoth, Nyamira Girls hockey coach.
In Mumias, defending football champions famously known as the Green Commandoes launched their title defense with a narrow 2-1 win over Shanderema Mixed as their rugby counterparts, Barbarians saw off Samisi Secondary 32-0 in the rugby sevens.
Hosts St Peters Boys High School were frustrated to a 1-1 draw by Munyuki.
In girls' basketball, Butere Girls whitewashed Nangili 64-4, St Mary's Mumias silenced Bishop Sulumeti 18-0 as Eregi saw off Mukumu Girls 42-3. St Mary's then fell 51-6 to Eregi before Mukumu bounced back to beat Bishop Sulumeti 14-10.
In volleyball, former national boys' champions Malava Boys beat Musingu High 3-0, while county holders Indangalasia Secondary School defeated Matunda Secondary School 3-0 as Sisokhe saw off Mwitoti Secondary School by a similar scoreline.
In girls' category, defending champions Bishop Sulemeti Girls, Lugari were too good for Nangili Girls beating their opponents 3-0 as St Mary's Mumias fell 3-0 to Mwitoto Secondary while Butere Girls thrashed Musoli Girls 3-0. Former giants Mukumu Girls succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Bishop Sulumeti Girls, Kakamega.
The games enter the quarterfinals and semifinals stages today (Saturday, August 27) ahead of the finals on Sunday.
WOnyango@standardmedia.co.ke