Hockey: Strathmore, USIU win Saturday’s KHU Premier League matches

Mombasa Sports Club Hockey team's Victor Gitahi and Billy Osano of Mombasa Club Sports during Hockey Premier league match against Strathmore University at the City Park Hockey stadium on Saturday. April 9, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Strathmore University maintained their unbeaten run in the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Men’s Premier League after thrashing newbies Mombasa Sports Club 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller match played at City Park on Saturday.

Brian Ongeche scored a brace in addition to Basil Wafula and Carson Oluoch’s field goals to earn Meshack Senge his second win of the 2022 season as Kevin Momanyi, Charlse Abongo and James Omondi got the visitors consolation goals.

The win takes Strathmore tally to seven points, same as league leaders and defending champions Butali Warriors.

The university students have so far defeated Mombasa, Greensharks (3-0) and registered a 2-2 draw against United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) men.

At City Park, Mombasa kept off a free scoring Strathmore side in the first quarter which ended goalless before Wafula gave Strathmore the lead in the 23rd minute of the second quarter.

A minute after taking the lead, Strathmore were pegged back almost immediately when Momanyi restored parity with an excellent field goal.

Oluoch would however ensure the hosts took a slender 2-1 lead at the break after netting at the half hour mark.

In the third quarter, Mombasa leveled the scores again with Abongo netting the equalizer through a penalty corner.

Two quick fire goals by Ongeche would then put the match beyond Mombasa’s reach as they reduced the gap to 4-3 with a late Omondi goal.

In Kakamega, Western Jaguars inconsistency continued after they lost 1-0 to visiting USIU-A men.

Brian ‘Bathesh’ Kiplima scored the lone goal of the match as the visitors registered their first win of the season. USIU had lost 2-0 to Wazalendo and drew 2-2 with Strathmore.