Kitale's St Joseph's Girls and St Anthony Boys reign supreme

St Joseph Girls hockey players celebrate after beating Nakuru's Afraha in yesterday's Rift Valley secondary school games final at Hill School in Eldoret. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Two Kitale-based schools stamped their authority as the Rift Valley secondary school games came to a close in Eldoret yesterday.

National hockey champions St Anthony Kitale and their neighbours, East Africa handball giants St Joseph's Girls reigned supreme at the regional competitions, booking their places at the national games set for Eldoret later this month.

St Anthony Boys (from Trans Nzoia) made their intentions to defend the national hockey title clear after thrashing Kapsabet Boys 4-0 at the finals played at Hill School Eldoret grounds.

Captain, Praise Favour, said his side came into the finals with a winning spirit. "We are going to put more effort ahead of the national Games. Our goal is to defend our national title," said Favour.

In the girls' hockey, St Joseph's Girls coached by John Lusaka lifted the Rift Valley trophy after defeating Afraha of Nakuru County 8-0.

The Lusaka side also took home the handball trophy and was hopeful of another dominance at the national games, and with its eyes set on defending the East Africa title. They beat Nakuru's Murinduko 34-28.

"We faced the toughest in our quest to win the Rift Valley title. The national champions' St Mary's Tachasis (Nandi) were tough," coach Lusaka said.

He added: "We will be assembling our arsenal for the nationals. We will want to prove that this was the best team for Rift Valley and we are not coming to the national games as the underdogs. We are here because we have supportive school management and we are not ready to disappoint them."

St. Patrick's Iten qualified to represent Rift Valley in rugby 15's at the national games after beating St Anthony Boys 10-8 in a tough encounter at the Wareng High School grounds.

The St Patrick's - St Anthony clash was a repeat of the opening match in Group D where the Iten side won 12-3 against their Kitale counterparts.

St Patrick's had a straight run in the whole championship, and the final match was the second loss to the runners-up (St Anthony) in the tournament.

"We lost the Rift Valley title in 2019 and this time we put in a lot of effort and teamwork. We only need to work on our set pieces and improve on our defense, and we will lift the national trophy. The teams are tough and Rift Valley is not an underdog," St Patrick's coach Bernard Indasi said.

St Patrick's Iten team captain Bernard Bahati said his team was confident of pulling another surprise at the national games.

On Thursday, schools such as Kosirai and Cheptonon from Nandi Kimuron (Elgeyo Marakwet) as well as Sinonin (Baringo) which have, over time produced world-class athletes extended their dominance in the games.

Kelvin Kiplagat from Sinonin was crowned the 2023 Rift Valley secondary schools 10,000m king after a hard-won 30:45.1 victory. He beat Leinas Kipkemboi and Philemon Kiprotich from Kimuron, Elgeyo Marakwet.

Sinonin boys also dominated the 5,000m race, with Kelvin Kiprop and Festus Kimurwa taking the top two places respectively.

Duncan Kipngeno of Kipsited Day produced a superb sprint to win the 100m title in 11.20. He defeated Ali Mhdhar of Baringo Central (11.40) and Erick Barasa from St Anthony KItale (11.50).

Mercy Chepsoyo from Sinonin (Baringo) outsprinted Janet Jepkempoi from Kondabilet (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Asca Jemutai of Cheptonon (Nandi) in the 1500m finals. They timed 04:45.0, 04:47.9 and 04.49.9 in the tight race.

In 800m, Mercy Chepsergon, also from Sinonin produced a superb finish to bag the Rift Valley title.

Chepsergon ran 02:13.4, crossing the finish line ahead of second-placed Janet Jepkemoi from Kondabilet and Enostine Jeptoo from Kositany (Nandi), who closed the top three.

Ann Menkop from Kiambogo (Nakuru) is the new Rift Valley 3,000m steeplechase winner in the girls' category, after racing 11:01.9, beating Sharon Chepkirui (11:11.6) of Siso (Kericho) and Gloria Chepkemoi (11:12.1) from Bomet's Oreiyet.