Koyonzo in winning start as Rugby 7s takes centre stage in Kisii

Defending national and East African champions rugby 7s champions Koyonzo High School got their title defence underway on Monday with a comfortable 28-15 win over Malindi School.

Coached by Eliud Okwemba, Koyonzo raced to a 15-5 lead at the breather in the game that was played at Kisii School.

Okwemba said: “It was a scrappy game but I’m satisfied with the outcome. We wanted to start strongly so that we send a warning to our rivals.”

In other games, Kabianga School humbled debutants Friends School Anjego  14-5 while Nyanza champions St Mary’s School, Yala thrashed MPesa Academy 41-0.

Hosts Kisii School defeated Lushangoni 33-0 in an entertaining game while Nairobi School defeated Otieno Oyoo 12-7 in a closely contested game.

In the girls’ category, favourites St Joseph’s Kitale overcame Dagoretti Mixed 36-0 in a one-sided match while Kinale saw off Mbakalu 15-0. Nyanza’s Nyakach Girls beat Ruiru 21-12 while JM Kariuki beat Nyanza’s Nyagechenche 7-0.

In girls’ volleyball, East Africa champions Kwanthanze sealed a place in the semis after a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-13) win over former champions Lugulu Girls while Vyambani beat MPesa Academy 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-09).

In the boys’ category, former champions Cheptil beat Namwela 3-2 (29-27, 25-20, 15-25, 17-25, 15-12) in a thrilling game played at Cardinal Otunga High School while Matiliku humbled Milalulu 3-0 (28-26, 25-18, 25-11) in another game.

In netball, national defending champions Oyugi Ogango booked a place in the semis after walloping Syumile 84-29  while Bumula upset former champions Kaya Tiwi 53-29.

Nyakach Girls upset defending champions Butere Girls 1-0 at Gusii Stadium. Penina Akoth scored the all-important goal to send Nyakach to the semi-finals. “So far, so good. We are here for our second national title,” said Nyakach Girls' coach Crispine Odindo.

Nyanza’s defending champions St Alfred’s Alara were sent packing after a 4-1 hiding against St Joseph’s Kitale. Kinale defeated Kibauni 1-0 in another encounter played at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho. Kombani upset Dagoretti Mixed 1-0 in another encounter.

In the boys’ category, Highway enhanced their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals despite drawing 1-1 against Dr Aggrey from Coast Region. Rift Valley’s St Joseph’s Kitale got their campaign back on track after thrashing Takaba 6-0.

In the boys’ basketball 3x3, national defending champions started their title defence on a high note after beating Nyanza rivals Maseno School 17-12 while St Joseph’s Kitale defeated Highway 19-9.

In other games, Dagoretti High beat St Mary’s Nyeri 19-10 as Laiser Hill hundled Mbooni Boys 9-7.

In the girls’ category, Nyanza’s Ng’iya Girls defeated Takaba 21-1 while Butere Girls beat Magomano 15-3.