Friends School Bwake defeated defending champions St Patrick’s Iten to be crowned rugby 15s champions at the ongoing Rift Valley Secondary Schools Sports Association (RVSSSA) at the University of Eldoret Grounds.
The Trans Nzoia based school were 10-05 winners against Elgeyo Marakwet side to book for the national championships slot set for Mombasa next month.
Head coach Cleophas Mikisi said that the boys were well prepared to take on any opponent at these championships.
“The championships have been good from day one and game one until the final, we have been playing so well and the boys have been showing so much to win in every much. The boys composed themselves finishing a game at a time. Coming to this level, the boys have trained and conditioned very well until t because if you look at many opponents had many knocks but the boys were well trained,” said Mikisi.
During the final, Brandon Chesoli converted Dennis Mukhwana’s try to make it 7-0 and Chesoli shot between the posts in a penalty to earn the champions 10-0 but Iten responded with uncoverted try for a final 10-05 win.
“We are well known in rugby 7s because last year, we were national 7s champions then runners up at East Africa. That spirit of winning national and runners up gave us morale. Playing at East Africa in 7s gave these boys morale to play their top game,” added Mikisi.
Heading for the nationals, Mikisi said that the boys are prepared since they have been fighting all through from zonal to national.
“We are going to compete not to participate at the nationals. After East Africa many of our players have been adopted in Kenya Cup teams like three playing for Impala Saracens, two are playing for Nakuru and one for Kenya Simbas Ian Njenga.”
During the semifinal, Iten edged out Kabianga 6-0 to qualify for the finals as Bwake beat Menengai 13-5 at the same venue.
In the quarter finals Iten were 15-0 winners over Baringo, Bwake humiliating Poroko 24-3, with Kabianga beating Nakeel 18-3 and Menengai narrowly beating Chebisaas 5-0.
Returning into action after two year’s of ban, Kamito Boys from West Pokot will be competing at the finals in the boys handball.
Kamito, has not so far known their opponent following the abandonment of another semifinal between Saniak from Nandi County and St Joseph’s Kitale.
Saniak were 36-14 winners over Kabartonjo in the boys quarterfinals as St Joseph edged out Kitany 35-12 followed by Ngoisa’s win of 28-25 against Chebitoik while Kamito thrashed 37-21 over Murinduko.
In the girls handball final, former champions St Joseph’s Kitale from Trans Nzoia will be taking on Kipsomoite in court one at the Chebissas Boys’
In the semifinals, St Joseph’s set up a successful revenge against Murinduko from Nakuru after ending their national journey last year with a 35-11 while Kipsomoite were 30-20 winners over former national champions Nasokol from West Pokot County.
In quarters, Kipsamoite were 35-11 winners over Aiyam, Nasokol edged out Rongena 14-28, Olbuyo receiving a beating of 49-09 from Murinduko as St Joseph were 55-06 winners over Enoomatasian.
Champions St Joseph are on the edge of defending the title following their 9-1 winners over Kaptagat in the semifinal and will be taking on Nakuru girls who beat Ndururumo 2-0.
Selected results and pairing
Rugby 15s
Finals
Bwake 10-05 St Patrick’s Iten
Semifinals
- St Patrick’s Iten 6-0 Kabianga
- Bwake 13-05 Menengai 13-5 at the same venue.
Quarterfinals
- St Patrick’s Iten 15-0 Baringo
- Bwake 24-03 Poroko
- Kabianga 18-03 Nakeel
- Menengai 5-0 Chebisaas
Hockey girls Semis
1. St Joseph 9-1 Kaptagat
2. Ndururumo 0-2 Nakuru
Finals tomorrow
St Joseph vs Nakuru
Handball girls
Quarters
1. Aiyam 11-35 St Benedict Kipsamoite
2. Rongena 14-28 Nasokol
3. Muribduko 49-9 Olbutyo
4. St Joseph Kitale 55-06 Enoomatasian
Semis
1. Kipsamoite 33-20 Nasokol
2. Murinduko 11-35 St Joseph Kitale
Finals tomorrow
Kipsamoite vs St Joseph Kitale
Boys Handball
Quarters
1. Saniak 36-14 Kabartonjo
2. St Joseph Kitale 35-12 Kitany
3. Ngoisa 28-25 Chebitoik
4. Kamito 37-21 Murinduko
Semis
1. Saniak vs St Joseph (abandoned)
2. Kamito 30-20 Ngoisa