Hunt on for hockey title: Battle for points intensifies as Police regain their footing

USIU player Rhodah Nyambura(l) blocks Mount Kenya University player Joyce Githinjias they played women league at Citypark. USIU won 7-0. ON 04/10/14 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League champions Police beat Parkroad 2-1 to boost their hopes of successfully defending their title.

Police, who began their title retention campaign on a low following a 1-0 loss to Greensharks, are second with six points from three matches, a point adrift group A leaders United States International University of Africa (USIU-A).

The law enforcers have lost the top form that they enjoyed last season, helping them go nine matches unbeaten.

However, head coach Kenneth Kaunda is optimistic his charges have regained their winning ways and are still in the run for this season’s trophy.

“We lost our opening match, which was not good. Even so we are all committed and know that with the pooling system each match counts. We are determined to secure a semi-finals spot, which is only achievable if we win all our remaining matches,” he said.

Kaunda pointed out that he will polish his units, especially the defence, going into the next match, which will be against USIU-A.

“I will strengthen my defence and other units. We only have three matches and if we can get maximum points from them we will be in the semis,” he said.

Western Jaguars, who subjected in-form USIU-A to their first defeat of the season, are fourth, tied on five points with Greensharks who have a superior goal difference.

Strathmore University who are through with their group matches are at the summit of pool B with 12 points, having won four and lost two. Wazalendo are second with nine points. They have a tough task ahead as they have to beat débutantes Bay Club by over three goals to qualify for play-offs and lock out Strathmore. Nairobi Simba are third with nine points from three matches.

Parklands Sports Club are at the peak of pool A of the men’s second league tier with 12 points from four matches. Parkroad Tigers and Multimedia University are second and third respectively.

Kenyatta University Vultures top pool B on a clean sheet with 12 points from four matches. Technical University are second having earned easy points from a walkover awarded against National Youth Service, who failed to honour their match. Vultures have 12 points from five matches.

Karate Axiom are third with six points from two wins and two losses.

The battle is tough in the ladies race as defending champions Orange top pool A with six points from two matches. However, they are tied on points with second placed USIU-A Spartans, who have an inferior goal difference. Mombasa Sports Club are third with three points.

It is the same script, different casts in pool B as last year’s league runners-up Strathmore University Scorpions lead with nine points. Sliders are second with the same points from three matches having benefited from a walkover awarded against debutants JKUAT ladies, who failed to show up.

Vikings are third in the pool with three points.