Africa-Press – Kenya. Nyanza rugby 15’s champions St Mary’s School Yala underlined their title credentials with a hard-fought 10-8 win over All Saints Embu in the opening match of the Brookside Secondary Schools Term One Games in Kisumu.
In the match played at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Yala took a 5-0 lead into halftime after scoring a corner post try in the first half. All Saints responded in the second half through an unconverted try by Peter Otieno to level the scores.
The 2024 national and Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association champions then went ahead through Boniface Mwangi to take an 8-5 lead. Yala, backed by Chief Principal V. O. Makanda, kept pushing and were rewarded in the final minute when Odiwuor Henry crossed over to seal victory.
All Saints coach Benson Mwendwa rued missed chances after the match. “All teams are good. We go back to the drawing board and focus on the games against Upper Hill School and Kwale High so that we progress to the knockout stages,” said Mwendwa.
“The boys didn’t settle early in the game, and we need to rectify that in the two remaining games. The two remaining games will be tough, but we must fight. We don’t have a good kicker this year, but that is not a big deal for me now.”
Yala coach Yala Kerima admitted his side had a slow start. “We had a slow start, but we picked up in the second half and won it. This win has given us the momentum, and we want to continue with the winning streak,” he said. Yala will next face Upper Hill School and Kwale High in their remaining group matches.
FEASSA champions Kisii School recovered from 9-14to beat Kakamega High 16-9
Elsewhere, Rift Valley champions Menengai High thrashed Mang’u High 46-5, while former champions Upper Hill School beat Kwale High 26-0. In girls’ rugby, Paul Harris stunned Sidindi 20-3 in their opener.
In girls’ basketball, defending champions Butere Girls began their title defence with a 45-34 win over Olympic High School at Kisumu National Polytechnic. In boys’ basketball, former champions Dagoretti High upset defending champions Laiser Hill 78-68.
Dagoretti coach Hassan Kibagendi said, “We wanted to start this championship with a win. We have now shifted our focus to the next game. Our target is to reclaim our title.” Lukenya Academy also registered a 62-42 win over former champions Dr Aggrey. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has warned against fielding ineligible players. Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said: “Teachers found culpable of cheating will be disciplined accordingly.”
