Orange top women’s league as Butali remain unshaken in hockey

Defending champions Telkom Orange returned to the peak of the Kenya Hockey Union Women’s League standings following their 6-1 conquest over United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans.

The 18-time winners now top the log with seven points from two wins and a draw. Hot on their heels are debutants Amira Sailors who are tied on points with Orange but forced into second place due to their inferior goal difference.

Orange have scored a total of 18 goals and conceded three while the Sailors scored 10 and maintained a clean sheet in their three encounters. Orange Coach Josephine Ataro told Feverpitch that they intend to maintain consistency as they seek to retain their crown.

"The league is tightly contested and I believe we need to be consistent to defend our trophy. We are every team’s target because they want to snatch the crown hence the need to fight harder,” Ataro said.

Last season’s first runners up, Sliders, are third with six points from two matches and have scored an impressive 17 goals in their two outings. Sliders are yet to concede a goal and together with Sailors pose a major threat to Orange’s ambitions of a record 19th title.

Strathmore University Scorpions are fourth with four points from two matches while Daystar University lead from the wrong end of the table without a point and have soaked in 13 goals from three unsuccessful outings.

In the men’s premier league, Pool B is stiffly contested with three clubs tying on seven point and only goals making a difference between them. Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) top with a five-goal difference following their 4-0 drubbing of Parkroad. Greensharks and newcomers Chase Sailors come in second and third places with a four and three goal difference respectively.

SAME MARGIN

Both teams were on a winning spree at the weekend, with Sharks thumping Wazalendo 2-0 while Chase walloped Western Jaguars by the same margin. Former champions Kenya Police moved three places up to fourth thanks to their 4-0 victory against Jaguars.

In Group A, champions Butali Sugar Warriors top the pool with nine points despite not being in action at the weekend.

The reigning kings have won all their matches impressively as they seek to win their third title in a row. USIU-A men are second two points adrift of the leaders while Strathmore Gladiators close the top three with four points.

The battle for a premier league promotion has intensified in the men’s second division tier, with three clubs tying on points. Wazalendo Youth, Parkroad Tigers and Technical University of Kenya are in first, second and third places in that order on nine points but separated by the goal difference.