Nairobi Region rugby 15s champions Lenana School yesterday dismissed Jamhuri High School 20-0 in a quarter-finals match played at Ofafa Jericho High School.
With the victory, Lenana remains on course to retaining their title and securing their ticket to this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One games to be staged from April 7 to 12 at Shanzu Teachers College and Shimo La Tewa High School, Mombasa.
In other matches, former national champions Upper Hill whipped Aquinas High School 60-0 to advance to the semi-finals. Nairobi School also had a good day out thumping Strathmore School 43-0 whereas 2019 East Africa silver medalists Dagoretti High edged out hosts Ofafa Jericho 19-7 secure a place in the last four.
Today, Lenana School will lock horns with Nairobi School while bitter rivals Dagoretti and Upper Hill will square it out in the other last four clash for a place in Saturday’s final.
In Busia, reigning champions will put their titles on the line today with the hope that they will successfully defend their honour.
Reigning national and East Africa boys’ hockey champions Musingu High School from Kakamega will begin their defence in Group B against Vihiga champions Kaimosi Boys High School. Musingu will have everything to fight for, for any mistakes at the regional games could see them relinquish all their titles at the regional level.
In Group A, former national and East Africa champions Friends School Kamusinga (FSK) from Bungoma who are looking to return to the nationals after two years in the cold will launch their quest against Busia champions Kolanya Boys High School.
Other boys hockey matches will see homeboys Mundika play Bungoma High in Group B while Vihiga’s Nyang’ori Boys will take on Kakamega’s Butere Boys in Group A.
In the girls hockey contest, former national winners St Cecilia Misikhu from Bungoma will play Kakamega champions Moi Girls Nangili in Group A.
Misikhu, just like Kamusinga are also looking to return to the nationals after being overshadowed at the regional level. Holders Tigoi Girls who are also the reigning national champions will play fast rising St Austin Kingandole who are hoping to be second time lucky in Group B.
Kingandole who began their hockey journey last year and went on to win the county title will be making their second attempt on the regional crown.
In rugby 15s, the regional trophy is open to the best team after last year’s winners Butula Boys High School were banned for one year for fielding ineligible players at the East Africa games.
Former national champions Bungoma High, Musingu as well as St Peter’s Mumias are favourites in the contest.
They will, however, have to overcome Vihiga High School homeboys Mundika and Kolanya who will be out to ensure that the trophy remains in Busia.
Butere Girls and Sigalame will be looking to successfully defend their basketball titles. Butere who are also the national champions will be out to ensure that they win the regional crown and remain on course to defending their national gong.
Sigalame on the other hand face stiff competition from FSK who they beat in last year’s final. National handball champions St Luke’s Kimilili and Moi Girls Kamusinga will be also be out to defend their titles.
At Chuka Boys High School, Eastern Region champions among them the current national and East Africa rugby 15s champions All Saints Embu will battle for survival. New champions will be crowned in boys handball after last year’s winners Mbooni were eliminated at the county level. Lukenya Boys from Machakos and Ikutha Girls from Kitui will be out to defend their basketball titles and secure their return to the nationals.
AIC Nyayo from Machakos will be hoping to outwit their opponents and retain the girls’ hockey title. Kwanthanze Secondary School will be seeking to stamp authority in girls’ handball.
