East Africa hockey champions St. Antony’s Kitale booked a semi-final date with arch-rivals and hosts Friends School Kamusinga in the ongoing national secondary schools Term One ball games after topping their pool.
St. Antony’s beat newcomers St.Charles of the Coast region 1-0 in the last preliminary match to top Pool ‘B’ while Kamusinga placed second in Pool ‘A’ after succumbing 1-0 to Maseno School in a hotly contested match.
Kamusinga had won all their previous matches before losing to Maseno hence squandering their chance of topping Pool ‘B’.
Maseno, who had performed dismally in their earlier matches of the round robin event, scored against hosts Kamusinga in the 50th minute through George Wekesa, who dribbled past three defenders before hitting the ball past hapless Kamusinga goalkeeper. Derrick Juma of Kamusinga missed several open chances awarded to his side through short corners.
Maseno are, however, out of the race despite the victory after losing against Narok Boys and drawing with Ndurumo in the opening matches. Last year’s champions Narok High will face Upper Hill in the other semi-final after beating Ndurumo Boys 2-0 in their last preliminary match. Upper Hill, representing Metropolitan region, beat Meru Boys 4-1 in Pool ‘A’ to make it to semis .
In the girls’ category, Sinyolo beat Tigoi 2-0 to secure a place in the semis, ending the unbeaten record of the Nzoia representatives. However, Wanaina Nduta of Tigoi gave Sinyolo defence anxious moments.
In another match Kerugoya continued with their clean sheet after humbling Misikhu girls 2-0. Sinyolo will square it out with Misikhu in the semis while Kerugoya will face Tigoi.
In the boys’ rugby, Bungoma boys beat Mangu School 8-3 to secure a place in the semis. Peter Paul ensured Bungoma sailed through with a last minute try
Bungoma will go head to head with arch-rivals in the Nzoia region Kakamega in the semis. The other semi will see Mau regional representatives Sirgoi battle it out with Upper Hill. Newcomers Sirgoi made it through after upsetting favourites Maseno 6-3.
In boys’ basketball Kapenguria continued with their upbeat form; crushing Agakhan of the Coast 46-28. Kapenguria now face Alliance who silenced Wajir 93-15 in semis.