Maseno University produced a sterling performance to defeat Moi University and lift the Rugby 15s title at the Kenya Universities Sports Federation Ball Games Playoffs on Saturday evening at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) grounds.
With the majority of ball games finals scheduled for Sunday afternoon, the four-day championships that kicked off on Thursday proved fruitful for Maseno, who shone in the rugby 15s event introduced this year.
Kelvin Ogwango touched down first for the champions in the fourth minute, with James Gathu adding the extras for a 7-0 lead. Edgar Masika reduced the deficit in the sixth minute with a penalty to make it 7-3.
However, two back-to-back penalties converted by Gathu in the ninth and 14th minutes stretched Maseno’s lead to 13-3.
An unconverted try by Arnold Omondi in the 18th minute extended Maseno’s advantage to 18-3. Moi University responded just before halftime when Erick Wangombe crossed the line in the 35th minute, but the conversion was missed as Maseno carried an 18-8 lead into the break.
On resumption, Vincent Odhiambo added a penalty try in the 44th minute to push the score to 25-8 before Gathu slotted another penalty three minutes later for a 28-8 lead.
Maseno continued their dominance when Bradley Weswa scored a try in the 56th minute, which Gathu converted to extend the lead to 35-8. Elias Thuo grabbed a late unconverted try for Moi University, but it proved only a consolation as the match ended 31-13 in favour of Maseno.
In the bronze medal play off, hosts powered past the University of Eldoret (UOE) 18–12 to claim the first medal of the championships.
Joshua Ongeri touched down first for the hosts before Gabriel Ogweno added the conversion to give CUEA a 7–0 lead. UOE responded through Walter Agalombe, who slotted in a penalty to reduce the deficit to 7–3.
Ogweno later converted another penalty to extend the hosts’ lead to 10–3, but Agalombe replied with a penalty of his own to make it 10–6 at halftime.
On resumption, Agalombe converted two penalties to give the Rift Valley-based side a narrow 12–10 advantage. However, the hosts, buoyed by their home supporters, regained the lead with a successful penalty to go 13–12 ahead.
Late drama followed when Jeremy Odhiambo touched down for a try that sparked celebrations among the home crowd. Victor Rheins failed to convert, but CUEA still secured an 18–12 victory.
Women handball
In women’s handball, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) will face Daystar University in the final following dominant semifinal performances.
Former champions MMUST edged out Machakos University 19–13, while Daystar beat University of Eldoret 21–8 to book their spot in the final.
MMUST captain Faith Kiptim said the team is determined to remain unbeaten as they aim to take the title back to Kakamega.
“We managed to beat Egerton, which was not that easy. We played a simple but tough game to secure the win. We want to do our best to carry the title home. As a team, we are very much prepared to secure victory. As a school, we don’t want to lose even a single match. We have to fight to the last minute,” said Kiptim.
Men Handball
In the men’s category, Kenyatta University (KU) will face Chuka University in the final following impressive semifinal performances.
KU edged out Rongo University 30–25 to reach the final, while Daystar University beat Chuka 28–19 to storm into the title match.
Earlier in the quarterfinals, KU defeated Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 23–21, Daystar edged Meru University of Science and Technology 26–25, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) beat Rongo 22–16, while Chuka eliminated University of Eldoret 25–22.
Men football
Debutants Bomet University College (BUC) goalkeeper David Situma saved two penalties against Zetech University to send his side into the men’s football semifinals.
After a goalless draw in regulation time, BUC triumphed 5–4 in the penalty shootout.
Situma, who also captains the side, said their preparation in penalty situations helped secure the victory.
“I managed to save two penalties to see my team reach the semifinals. I was motivated by our training. We do a lot of training on penalties and we want a slot to the East Africa Championships,” said Situma.
In other quarterfinal matches, Kenyatta University beat Tharaka University 1–0, KCA University recorded a narrow 4–3 win over Murang’a University of Technology, while Kibabii University eliminated Dedan Kimathi University of Technology 2–0.
In the semifinals, KU will face BUC, while KCAU take on KIBU.
Women football
In women’s football, Zetech University, who feature in the Kenya Women Premier League, will meet Kenyatta University in the semifinals while Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) face Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
KU reached the semifinals with a 1–0 win over University of Nairobi, JOOUST edged UOE 3–2, Zetech thrashed JKUAT 5–0, while MMUST beat Egerton University 3–2.
Women hockey
In women’s hockey semifinals, MMUST will take on University of Nairobi, while JKUAT face United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa).
MMUST edged Moi University 2–0 via penalty flicks after a goalless draw, while UON defeated JOOUST 2–1. USIU-Africa beat Meru University of Science and Technology 4–1, and JKUAT overcame Chuka 2–0.
Men’s hockey
In men’s hockey semifinals, KU will face Technical University of Mombasa, while Strathmore University take on UON.
TUM beat Chuka 1–0, KU defeated Kibabii University 2–0, Strathmore overcame KCAU 2–0 on penalties, while UON edged Moi University 1–0 via penalties.