Hockey: Lakers thump Wolverines to increase chances of qualifying for Africa Club games

Maurine Achieng scored a brace as Lakers Hockey Club thrashed Dutch Flower Girls (DFG) Wolverines 3-0 during their last game of the 2022 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women's Premier League played at Kisumu Day High School on Sunday.

Victory saw them remain second in the standings with 21 points, four points ahead of former champions Blazers who have two games in-hand with the final ticket to the 2023 Africa Club Championships at stake.

Newly crowned champions Strathmore University Scorpions have already booked a place at next year's Club Games.

The Scorpions were crowned champions with two matches to spare on Saturday after thrashing United States International University (USIU) Spartans 4-2 in a six-goal thriller match at City Park in Nairobi.

Kenyan international Grace Bwire scored all four goals as Naomi Kemunto and Beatrice Mbugua grabbed the consolation goals for the Spartans.

Victory took Scorpions to 28 points, seven points off second place Lakers Hockey Club and 11-points clear off former champions Blazers.

Lakers Hockey Club shrugged off their disappointing 0-0 draw against ousted champions Blazers on Saturday to end the season with a thrilling 3-0 win over DFG Wolverines yesterday at Kisumu Day High School.

Lakers captain Alice Owiti missed a last minute penalty flick as Blazers held them to a 0-0 draw at Simba Club during their second last match and in the process blow away their chances of finishing second and book a spot to next years Africa Club Games.

Despite the captain redeeming herself against Wolverines in a match where Maurine Achieng scored a brace, Lakers who are second on 21 points have to pray Blazers lose one match to be sure of finishing second.

Blazers are third on 17 points but with a game in hand and they would qualify for the continental games next year if they defeat Sliders and Sailors in their remaining two matches.