Defending champions Koyonzo dumped out of national games

East Africa and national rugby 7s defending champions Koyonzo were yesterday dumped out of the ongoing National Secondary School Games in Kisii.

Koyonzo succumbed to a narrow 10-5 loss against Rift Valley champions Friends School Bwake in a tough match at Kisii School.

Calistus Wanjala scored two unconverted tries for Bwake while Koyonzo’s Miracle Kiptoo scored the lone try. Bwake coach Cleophas Mikisi said he is now targeting to lift the national title.

 “Our initial target was to reach the semi-finals. Now that we have achieved that, we want the ultimate prize,” said Mikisi.

He attributed their win to hard work and discipline. “We started training for this event in December. We have never taken a break since then. When you look at the boys, they are well-conditioned,” said Mikisi. 

Other quarter-final matches will be played on Wednesday morning. Nyanza champions St Mary’s School, Yala face Kabianga while Vihiga confront Nairobi School. In the last quarter-final, hosts Kisii have a date with Meru School.

In the girls’ category, Kinale narrowly edged Madira 14-12 to qualify for the semi-finals while Nyagechenche upset Nyanza champions Nyakach Girls 10-5 to sail through

It was a repeat of the Nyanza region final where Nyakach beat Nyagechenche 14-0.

Nyagechenche coach Dennis Onyango said: “When we lost in the regional final, we went back to the drawing board and planned for the nationals. The girls are not afraid of any team. We want to play in the final and lift the trophy,” said Onyango.

St Joseph’s Girls, Kitale overcame Paul Harris 14-5 while St Theresa’s beat Shimba Hills 10-0 in other quarter-final games.

In 3x3 basketball, defending national champions Onjiko School will face Swagongo in a repeat of the Nyanza region final while St Joseph’s Kitale Boys will play Friends School Kamusinga.

In the girls’ category, Raila Education Centre take on Butere as Nasokol play St Joseph’s Girls Kitale in the other semi-finals.