Hockey: Telkom’s search for spotless season continues

Hockey women premier- Vickings vs Telkom Telkom Audrey Omaido)l) and Vickings Winnie Ivayo(r) chase the ball When Vickings played Telkom at City Park Nairobi. ON 16/09/2017 (Jenipher Wachie)

Champions Telkom will have to wait until next season in their search for league title victory without conceding a goal.

This is after bitter rivals Strathmore University Scorpions ended their unbeaten run yesterday afternoon at City Park. 

Even though they have dominated women’s hockey in the country, Telkom still dream of winning the title on a clean sheet. They came close this season after winning 13 rounds of matches, but once again fell short in their quest after Scorpions tainted their campaign despite winning the march 3-2.

A brace from Barbara Simiyu and a goal from Jackline Mwangi in the first half put Telkom on the path to victory. However, Strathmore came stronger in the second half and scored two goals through Denise Bila and Barbara Atigo and spoil Telkom’s dream. 

Telkom assistant coach Josephine Ataro said they conceded goals after Strathmore improved their game.

“We had lapses in defence but that is not the only reason we conceded goals. They (Strathmore) have greatly improved. They made us work hard especially in the second half and that is a challenge to us,”  Ataro said.

Mwangi netted Telkom’s opener in the seventh minute after a lapse in Strathmore defence. The Scorpions had started well and seemed to contain Telkom in the early minutes of the first quarter.

Simiyu scored two quick goals in the 26th minute to give the champions a comfortable 3-0 lead at the breather. On resumption, Scorpions looked more rejuvenated as they took charge of the game, pressing deep into Telkom’s half in hunt of goals.

Their efforts paid off seconds to the break of the third quarter as Bila beat Telkom defence and goalkeeper Cynthia Onyango.

The goal ignited Scorpions’ will to fight as they hastened their hunt for a second goal. [Elizabeth Mburugu]