Reigning champions National Cereals and Produce Board got their East and Central Africa handball Federation title defence on a winning note, hitting Gicumbi of Rwanda 35-29 at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
The Millers, who are also the national league champions, trailed early but tied the duel before roaring to a 16-13 halftime advantage.
After resumption, it was NCPB who got off the blocks with the first shot on target but the Rwandese soon cancelled and it was game on.
NCPB went up 20-17 but could not build a comfortable lead as the Rwandese champions charged right back.
Goalie Victor Otuoma stopped two obvious scores and when he set Timothy Kirimi for an easy shot the scores stood at 22-19.
The pressure on the losers showed as NCPB rattled in three more unanswered goals for a 25-19 cushion.
The winners tactician Bryan Mathews call for the boys to be patient on the ball paid off.
“We started slowly and had not built an advantage at halftime. But we made some adjustments in the second that paid off,” said Mathews.
“We went for fast breaks with Chekai (Winston) making inroads that gave us a good lead and we managed to break away from a seesaw tussle and take the game.”
Irangea Emmanuel of Gicumbi reduced the margin to 27-23 with a rasping shot. But Chekai fired in two consecutive penalties as NCPB regained their five-goal cushion.
With five minutes to go, NCPB were up 31-29 as Andrew Akyeru tossed in penalties. But the Kenyans replied with two more scores, pushing the lead to 33-29.
Nicholas Okode rounded up the scores with two late scores as NCPB showed their might in this hard-fought duel.
Chekai scored eight goals while Clinton Maika and Kirimi had six each for the winners.
Emmanuel Irangena hit seven for the losers while Akyeru Andrew and Kubuina Emmanuel added six each.
