Hockey: Strathmore Scorpions win 2022 KHU Premier League title

Strathmore University Gilly Okumu (L) Grace Bwire celebrate a goal against Lakers during their KHU League Match on October 29, 2022 at the City Park Hockey stadium. (Kelly Ayodi,Standard)

Strathmore University Scorpions are the 2022 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women's Premier League champions.

The University students were declared the new champions with two matches to spare on Saturday after thrashing United States International University (USIU) Spartans 4-2 in a six-goal thriller match at City Park in Nairobi.

Kenyan international Grace Bwire scored all four goals as Naomi Kemunto and Beatrice Mbugua grabbed the consolation goals for the Spartans.

Victory takes Scorpions to 28 points, 10 points off second place Lakers Hockey Club and 11-points clear off former champions Blazers.

That means that both Blazers and Lakers cannot catch Strathmore with two matches left till the end of the season.

Additionally, Strathmore have automatically booked a spot in the 2023 Africa Club Championships.

In Kisumu, Lakers Hockey Club missed a last-minute penalty flick as Blazers held them to a 0-0 draw at Simba Club.

Lakers captain Alice Owiti who is also the national team's assistant captain sent his flick attempt wide after the umpire had awarded the hosts a 58th-minute penalty.

The draw leaves the Kisumu-based side second on 18 points, a point above Blazers who have two games in hand.

With the final spot at next year's Africa Club Games at stake, Lakers have to win their final match against DFG Wolverines on Sunday to stand a chance of finishing second.