SCORPIONS STING VIKINGS: Strathmore third in hockey league standings after vital win

HOCKEY LEAGUE Vikings Charity Juma(l) and Strathmore Doreen Hongo interlock for the ball during the women league at Citypark. Strathmore won 4-1. ON 28/09/14 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Strathmore University’s Scorpions defeated Vikings 2-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s league match yesterday at City Park.

Last season’s top scorer Gilly Okumu’s brace in the first half was enough to give Scorpions three vital points.

Strathmore, who are regarded as the second best team in the country behind Africa and national champions Telkom Orange, have been in a roller-coaster form this season.

They are now third in the league standings behind leaders Telkom and Sliders.

Scorpions’ head coach Meshack Senge said he is looking forward to a productive year despite having lost some key players.

“We look forward to a successful finish in the season because the start was not good for us. Some of my best players have left, but I believe that my current squad is equal to the task.”

Okumu opened the scores for Scorpions seven minutes after the whistle as she beat Vikings’ defence and goalkeeper Angela Kogei with ease.

The return of experienced midfielder Laura Gichau added value to the team as she combined well with Yvonne Karanja and Okumu. Just after the half-hour mark, Okumu added her second as Strathmore led 2-0 at halftime.

Meanwhile, former men’s premier league champions Kenya Police began the year on a high as they trounced Parklands Sports Club 4-0. This was their first second leg match and a win put them level with reigning champions Butali Sugar Warriors on 40 points.

Police began the match in hunt for early goals, but their efforts were thwarted by Parklands, who resorted to defensive play. However, after many failed attempts, Felix Okoth broke the deadlock as Police led 1-0 at the breather. After play resumed, Moses Cheplaiti converted two penalty corners in the 54th and 64th minutes before Willis Okeyo slotted in the fourth in the 70th minute.

In another men’s premier league encounter, two-time champions Strathmore University’s Gladiators defeated 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union 2-0.

Clayson Luvanda and Derrick Kuloba scored in each half as the university students bagged the vital points. Nairobi Sikh struggled to keep up with the high tempo, as Gladiators made them sweat for most of the time. Luvanda put Strathmore in the lead with his field goal in the 18th minute.

Kuloba, who made his international debut last year during the Africa Olympic qualifiers in South Africa, scored Gladiators’ second goal in the 43rd minute to give them a deserved 2-0 victory.