Rugby: Upper Hill beat rivals Kakamega

TERM 1 GAMES 2018 Rugby Champions Upper Hill of Nairobi receive their trophy after beating Menengai in the finals during the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Term 1 National Brookeside games at Kangaru School, Embu County on Saturday April 14, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

National champions Upper Hill forced a narrow 13-12 win over compatriots Kakamega High in an all-Kenyan tie rugby 15s. 

Hooker Abutwalib Wesonga starred for Upper Hill with two penalties and a successful conversion of Brian Kimani’s try to see off their archrivals.

Kakamega’s Timothy Omella kicked four, but his effort was not good enough to set the six-time East Africa champions on the path to their seventh crown.

Upper Hill captain Rolf Smith Ouma said it was a tough clash likening it to a final. “I’m glad we started well because the match was tough and it was as if we were playing a final. We are playing in a round robin format hence the need to make the best out of every match,” Ouma said.

He added that gaining a victory against Kakamega who are also favourites to win gives them an edge. “We finished third last year and our main objrctive is to win this year’s title. We have been working hard since winning the national title and I believe if we keep fighting, our efforts will bear fruit.”

Today, Upper Hill will face off with Menengai High School in their second match in a repeat of the national final which the former won 15-12 in sudden death.

Kakamega will face Ugandan side King’s College Buddo as they look to bounce back from the loss to Upper Hill.

“We want to reclaim the title and even though we lost, I believe we can still fight and make it happen,” Kakamega coach Amos Wamanga said.

In boys’ football, newcomers Olbolosat from Kenya had a disappointing start losing 1-0 to homeside Lycee De Kigali in their Group A opener.

In the girls’ contest, Nginda beat four-time East Africa champioms Archbishop Njenga 1-0 to gain maximum points. Nginda captain and Harambee Starlets midfielder Foscah Nashivanda led from the front scoring the side’s winning goal in the second half.

The Kenyan girls, who finished third at the nationals behind Kwale and Njenga will play their next match tomorrow against 2016 winners GS Remera. [By Elizabeth Mburugu]