Hockey: Butali Warriors launch Premier Leagute title defense with win over Sharks

Strathmore University's Gily Okumu (left) collide with DFH Woverines's Goalkeeper Shanice Ayuma during Premier league match at City Park Hockey Stadium on Saturday, March 19, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Fomer national women’s team captain Gilly Okumu scored the lone goal as Strathmore University Scorpions narrowly edged out Dutch Flower Group Wolverines 1-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women’s Premier League match played on Saturday.

The win saw Strathmore maintain their perfect start to the new season as they remain unbeaten after two matches. The Scorpion defeated Sliders 2-0 last weekend.

At the same time, Butali Warriors kicked off their KHU Men’s Premier League title defense on a high note after thrashing Greensharks 3-0 in a match played at the City Park Stadium in Nairobi.

New signing Festus Onyango, captain Constant Wakhura and Shammath Ademba scored in the first half as Butali reigned supreme their first match of the 2022 season.

Onyango and Ademba scored in the 8th and 23rd minutes respectively before Wakhura scored through a penalty corner in the 22nd minute.

In the men’s Super League, Multimedia University and Parkroad Sports Clubs played to a barren draw.

In the men’s National League Gorrillas and Thika Rovers also played to a 0-0 draw at Strathmore University grounds in Nairobi while away in Eldoret, Nandi Hawks defeated hosts University of Eldoret 3-1.

Karate Axiom defeated Nairobi Chapel 1-0 at the Strathmore University grounds.