Kakamega High retain rugby title: Western Region MGK triumph as Mukumu, Misikhu crash out

Jecinta Leli of Moi Girls Kamusinga (kenya) unleashes an attack against Apega School of Rwanga during their East Afrca Secondary School Games football match at Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu County on August 31, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

St Peter’s Mumias fail in nail-biting final as winners savour slot at national games.

Big-wigs Kakamega High and Moi Girls Kamusinga (MGK) yesterday retained their titles as curtains fell on this year’s Western Region Secondary Schools Term One Games at Friends School Kamusinga.

National 15s rugby champions Kakamega beat bitter rivals St Peter’s Mumias 6-3 in a nail-biting final to retain the gong while Kamusinga extended their reign at the helm of girls’ handball with a 15-11 win over Mukumu.  

However, St Ignatius Mukumu and St Cecilia Misikhu were the first 2017 national champions to fall as they surrendered the national boys’ handball and girls hockey titles respectively.

Mukumu fell to former national champions St Luke’s Kimilili while Misikhu succumbed to Tigoi.

Eight-time national holders Kimilili forced a slim 19-18 win over Mukumu ending their hopes of successfully defending the national title.

Misikhu were stripped of the regional crown and will not be defending their 2017 national girls hockey title after losing to Tigoi in the finals.

Following an hour of intense battle without breaking each other’s defence the duo set the stage for a decisive penalty shootout.

With only Joan Anjao’s attempt remaining after Misikhu had exhausted their chances, Anjao made it count as she slotted in the all-important goal to the delight of her teammates and fans.

Tigoi goalkeeper Belinda Wepo was also outstanding saving her side from frequent attacks in regular time before crowning her performance in the eight seconds tie-breaker.

An ecstatic Tigoi coach Moses Erima said that their aim is to win the 2018 national trophy.

“In 2016 we came so close, but fell short settling for second best.

“Nonetheless, the girls are determined to accomplish what they couldn’t then and feel inspired to lift the national trophy especially after fighting their hearts out to qualify for the nationals,” Erima said.  

While the hockey girls were celebrating, their basketball counterparts were nursing their wounds having been dethroned and locked out of the nationals by new champions Butere. A basket made a difference between the two sides as Butere snatched bragging rights with a 59-57 victory. Tigoi will have themselves to blame after taking long to settle in the game giving Butere an opportunity to take an early lead.

Tigoi were complacent and got punished as Butere seized the opportunity to win the match in the first two periods when they got a comfortable 26-14 lead.

Tigoi bounced back to dominate the third and fourth quarters.