It's down to real business as former champs clash

Meru School, Ambira, Buruburu and Loreto booked their places in boys and girls' basketball semi-finals after winning their second group matches as this year's Brookside Secondary Schools National Term One Games entered Day two at Kangaru School, Embu.

Meru, who returned to the nationals after an eight-year absence, held the nerve to secure a narrow 69-68 victory against unrelenting Aga Khan, who were determined to register their first win after losing to Ambira in their opening Group A clash.

Meru coach Paul Muli lauded his charges for their fighting spirit saying it was their resilience that secured them a place in the last four.

"It was a very tough match and I must say it was the players' determination that saw us through. We have a very tough match against Ambira and we must be at our best to win it win because we want to top our group," Muli said.

In Group B, defending champions Laiser Hill launched their defence on a winning note with a 63-29 victory against Alliance.

Sigalame won the 'newcomers' battle after they defeated Dagoretti High in a repeat of a match that was washed-off on day one. Sigalame won 52-23.

Ambira eased to the semis with a 97-21 win over North Eastern's Wajir High in another Group A match.

In the girls' contest, Loreto booked a place in the last four from Group A. Buruburu beat Kirigara 72-33 in their second match while Loreto thrashed Moi Girls Mandera 106-2. In their opening matches, Buruburu beat Mandera 80-4 while Loreto dismissed Kirigara 53-34.

In rugby15s, last year's national bronze medallists Upper Hill romped into the semi-finals in style with an emphatic 61-0 win over hosts Kangaru in their second Group B match.

Upper Hill, who also won bronze in last year's East Africa games, thrashed Galana of Coast Region 64-0 in their opening match. Upper Hill were in a class of their own and needed just 30 minutes to complete their assignment against Galana.

Today, Upper Hill take on Menengai in their last group match.