Secondary Schools games: Strong Laiser Hill reclaim national title

Chavakali High School's Daniel Okindo (center) is tackled by Levis Ocen (left) and Charles Tendwa of Laiser Hill School during the 10th Edition of Copa Coca Cola Kenya Secondary Schools Sports games at Eldoret Sports Club on Friday July 27, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Laiser Hill Academy yesterday recaptured the Secondary Schools national rugby sevens title after beating Chavakali in the final at Eldoret Sports Club.

The Rift Valley Region school cruised to a 26-5 win over Chavakali High to win the 2018 title. It is Laiser's second national title after their exploits in 2016 during the games held at Kangaru School, Embu. They failed to qualify for last year's games and their victory completed a remarkable comeback.

The 2015 winners St Peter's Mumias secured third spot after a 24-7 win over Dagoretti to seal the last spot for next month's regional games in Musanze, Rwanda.

In the final, skipper Clinton Kioko led from the front touching down twice with Daniel Kisakyamukama and Brunson Madigu also scoring a try each. Fredrick Odongo made three conversions.

Isaac Ouma had pulled a try back for last year's finalists but they were unable to complete a comeback as Laiser Hill subdued them in the half display.

Laiser Hill coach Anthony Kirimi said his charges were eager to get back to the top after last year's absence.
"The boys were determined to work hard and get back the crown. We survived the tough group and that gave us confidence to go all the way," Kirimi said. 

In the semis, a coin toss sent Chavakali High to the final at the expense of Nairobi champions Dagoretti High. Former champions Laiser Hill drubbed 2015 holders St Peters Mumias 26-0 in the first semi final. 

Chavakali and Dagoreti High settled a 7-7 draw at regular time forcing the game to extra time. Chavakali had a golden chance to win the game with a penalty.

 A second chance fell to their fly-half who had a kick but he sent it wide. With both sides unable to the break the deadlock on extra time, the winner was  to be decided in kicks where both sides scored one each from 5, 15, centre,15 and 5.  

The match proceeded to the second set of kicks now from 15, centre and 15 - both sides scored one each and missed the other two. Dagoretti scored from 15 and missed from centre and 15 while Chavakali scored from centre and missed the other two conversions.

Chavakali scored their first kick but missed a second attempt, so did Dagoretti. Isaac Ouma, Bede Enonda and Tangus Kevin took Chavakali's kicks. Ben Salem, Timothy Lugalia (third set) and Gilbert Odhiambo kicked for Dagoretti. The stalemate forced the coin toss to decide who advances to the final.

It came to an abrupt end for 2017 East Africa champions Muhuri Muchiri as they bowed out at the quarters after losing 17-14 to Chavakali. In the quarters Laiser Hill beat Muvuti 19-0 while St Peters had overpowered Friends School Bwake 17-20. Dagoretti High beat Nakuru Day 12-7.