Lydia Iswan from Kwa Nthanze secondary tackles an opponent from Chogoria girls in the ongoing Eastern region secondary school games that are underway at Makueni boys, Makueni County. [Stephen Nzioka, Standard]

National and East Africa girls volleyball champions Kwanthanze yesterday started their regional title defence on a high note as this year’s Eastern Region Secondary Schools Term Two games got underway at Makueni Boys.

Kwanthanze made light work of their Group B opponents Chogoria Girls from Tharaka Nithi beating them in straight sets of 25-6, 25-8 and 25-6. In group A, Thingithi from Embu beat Logologo from Marsabit 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-14) while in group C Meru’s Kirigara laboured to a 3-1 (25-23, 10-25, 25-16, 25-20) win over Makueni’s Kambi Mawe. Kyatune eased to a 25-9, 25-4 and 25-9 victory over St Mary’s Ndovea in group D.

In boys' contest, Embu champions Kyenire held the nerve to beat Muindi Mbingu in a five-set thriller. Muindi Mbingu took the first set 25-14 but that did not dampen their spirits as they rallied from a set down to chalk up a victory in group C. They recovered to take the second and third sets 27-25 and 25-22 before Muindi Mbingu forced a tie-breaker after taking the fourth 25-22. Kyenire looked more composed in the decisive set to win in 15-8.

In other matches, Meru winners Kanyakine beat Isiolo Barracks from Isiolo 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-13) while Tharaka Nithi’s Mukuuni dismissed Makueni’s Tumaini in straight sets of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-25 in Group A and B respectively.  

Netball defending champions Syumile drubbed their opponents Mariari 84-3 in group D. Linah Jebet top-scored for Syumile with 44 points while Justine Tipape added 40.

Jebet said they will not be carried away by the victory. “This is just the first match and we still have a long way to go before we achieve our objective. We won convincingly but we now must focus on winning our next match,” Jebet said.

Mbooni Boys launched their under 19 football title campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over Mukuuni Boys from Tharaka Nithi in their Group A opener. Mbooni who are looking to improve on last year’s quarter-final elimination were in fine form dominating their opponents throughout the match. Daniel Migosi, Francis Wafula, Caleb Onyango and Victor Onyango were spot on for Mbooni.

In group B, Makueni champions Iiani clobbered Tharaka Boys 7-1 while Katheka from Kitui beat Isiolo’s Namy 3-2 in group C. Bishop Lawi from Meru and Nguviu Boys from Embu played to a 1-1 draw in Group B.

In group B, Kwanthanze beat Chuka Girls from Tharaka Nithi 45-17 while former regional champions Kirigara beat Chogoria 51-5.

Selected results

Netball

Chuka Girls 17 Kwanthanze 45

Kiragara 51 Chogoria 5

Syumile 84 Mariari 3

Football boys under 19

Mbooni  4 Mukuuni 0

Iiani 6 Tharaka Boys 0

Katheka 3 Namy 2

Bishop Lawi 1 Nguviu 1

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