Nairobi Stima’s Sam Gathura and David Gaitho narrowly escaped humiliation in men’s doubles after edging Simon Kipchumba and John Marwa of Kirima Club 4-3 points in a tightly-contested final of Chairman’s Cup darts tournament at Chambers Resort in Nakuru over the weekend.
The event, sponsored by the former Nakuru branch chairman, Eng. Simon Kariuki attracted at least 15 clubs and over 100 participants from within and outside Nakuru County.
Gathura and Gaitho beat their counterpart Moses Muriuki and Peter Wachuori 3-1 points to qualify for the final while Kipchumba and Marwa beat John Mucheru and Suleiman Siwo (Jacaranda) 3-1 points to reach the finals.
“It was a nice experience playing with the internationals. Our skills now are at a different level. We knew this was going to be tough,” said Simon Kipchumba. “It wasn’t easy for us to beat Kirima players because they are good. However, experience, exposure and commitment saw us through,” added Sam Gathura.
In the men’s team category, Stima beat Nakuru’s Jams Club 9-3 points to claim the overall title. Stima had beaten Jacaranda 9-1 in semis while Jams Club thrashed Kirima 9-7 points to reach the final.
Defending champion Florence Kipsugut and Selina Sakawa (Kabarnet) clinched the women’s doubles title after an unbeaten run in the event played on a round-robin basis. Jacaranda’s Millicent Wanjohi and Mary Njenga were runners-up while Susan Wanja/Jacinta Njoroge (Stima) wrapped up the top three positions.
In 60 years plus category, David Gaitho maintained unbeaten run after defeating Julius Mbere, Joseph Karanja and Dominic Mukona in an event played on round robin.
Elijah Kariuki (Jacaranda) dominated the Under25 category, beating Jacinta Njoroge (Stima), Vincent Kimutai (Kirima) and Jacques Ngoima (Jams) respectively.
