Nyanza region secondary schools rugby 15’s champions Maseno School began their title defence in perfect fashion as they saw off Homa Bay School 32-10.
A strong Maseno led 32-0 at the break as the Nyanza region games got underway at Kisii School on Wednesday before Homa Bay tried, unsuccessfully, to get themselves back into the game.
Maseno coach Steve Oluoch said: “We started strongly but there was a lapse in concentration in the second half. I think the players relaxed after the huge halftime lead. There were also mistakes here and there which we shall rectify before our second game.”
Maseno play archrivals St Mary’s School, Yala and Nduru Boys from Kisii county on Thursday.
“We want to win all our games to top our group and play the second-placed team in the other pool,” added Oluoch.
Hosts Kisii School beat St Paul’s Gekano High School from Nyamira county 32-0.
“It was a good game and I’m impressed by the boys. We won convincingly and we now turn our focus to our second game against Nyabondo on Thursday. We are going to build on this win as we seek to lift the title,” said Kisii coach Lee Aston.
In another game, favourites Yala, coached by Ken Mukok, beat Nduru Boys 13-0 to send a strong warning to rivals as they hope to reclaim the title. Yala will face Homa Bay while Gekano will battle it out against Rapogi before taking on Nyabondo.
After a winning start against Agoro Sare, boys’ basketball defending champions Onjiko School will face Kisii’s Nyanchwa while Agoro Sare will hope to get their campaign back on track when they play Migori Boys.
Onjiko, coached by Joseph Were, drubbed Agoro Sare 84-27 in a one-sided game.
In the girls' category, former champions Barchando defeated Sengera 55-29 while Asumbi Girls beat Tuk Jowi 31-28.
In the boys' hockey opener, last year’s finalists Ringa Boys narrowly beat three-time Kisii county champions Nduru Boys 1-0 while in the girls’ category, Anding’o drubbed Kereri Girls 4-1.
Girls' handball holders Kakrao started their title defence with a 31-24 win over Nyamira Girls while Ndonyo narrowly overcame Guu 17-16.
In the boys' category, defending champions Manyatta defeated Orero 31-28 while Nduru saw off Rang'ala 28-27.