Kenyans too good for Ugandans as Sinyolo, Kamusinga show class in hockey battle

Deririck Juma (right) of Friends School Kamusinga breaks away from Ntare School (Uganda) during their East Afrca Secondary School Games hockey match at Eldoret Polytechnics, Uasin Gishu County on August 30, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

The notion that Kenya is a hockey powerhouse was in no doubt yesterday when East Africa girls’ champions Sinyolo and Friends School Kamusinga whitewashed their Ugandan counterparts here in Eldoret.

The Kenyan girls and boys showered their out of this world pedigree with their on the ball skills and velocity leaving the Ugandans gasping for breath. The East African queens were in a class of their own from the onset as Melda Awour baffled the Ugandan defense and goalkeeper with her second minute goal.

Awour was a thorn in the flesh of the Ugandans denying them time to settle as she ransacked their territory again to hitting the board eleven minutes later giving her side a 2-0 lead.

Relentless Awour was undoubtedly player of the match scoring four more goals to lead the hunt for the top scorers award with seven goals having netted once in their opening match against Sinyolo.

Lavender Ouma bagged a hat-trick, Irene Atieno a brace while Grace Ouma and Alice Awiti scored one goal each to give the champions a resounding 13-1 victory.

Hilda Balondemu scored Namagunga’s consolation goal in the 57th minute.

Sinyolo captain Lydia Adhiambo told Feverpitch that they were not at their best in the match but will play better in today’s meeting with home girls Tigoi. “We could have scored more goals, but failed because we did not play our game but played our opponents’ which slowed us down. We vow to play our own game against Tigoi and target four or more goals because we are playing in a round robin format and every goal counts.”

In the boys contest, former East Africa winners Kamusinga thrashed Ntare of Uganda 9-0 to inch closer to reclaiming the title they last won in 2014.

The national champions bounced back from the slow first half that saw them score only two goals to bag maximum points.

Derrick Juma starred for Kamusinga scoring four goals while captain Justine Ng‘etich scored twice.

Collins Mukarani, Morgan Nyongesa and Conrad Wafula found the back of the net once each.

“We allowed ourselves to lower our standards to their (Ntare) level which almost cost us. That is behind us now and we focus on tie against St Anthony’s, which to us is the final. We will give it our all because a win will be like holding the trophy in one hand,” Ng’etich said.

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