Police hit Nakuru, USIU put pressure on Telkom

Kenya Police maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a convincing 2-0 win over Nakuru away at the Greensteds grounds, Nakuru in a Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match.

Goals from Amos Barkibir and Kennedy Sibechwe fired the law enforcers to their 18th win of the season in 19 matches. The result moved them 55 points, 15 ahead of second-placed Greeensharks, who were due to face Western Jaguars Saturday evening at City Park Stadium.

Police scored two goals in a space of a minute to break the hosts' resistance. Police, the 2013 champions, scored the opening goal in the 46th minute as Barkibir slotted the ball past Nakuru Dennis Maketo.

A minute later, the law enforcers added their lead as swift counter attack was finished by Sibechwe and the visitors held on for the three points.

Police coach Kenneth Kaunda praised his charges' resilience.

"We never gave up and our tenacity won it for us in the end. This is a difficult place to win and we are pleased with the result," Kaunda added.

It was Police's first win at the grass surface in two years.

At the City Park Stadium in Nairobi, USIU Spartans secured a 2-0 over Vikings. Goals from Kenya internationals Rhoda Kuira and Sandra Vodoti gave the students the three points. The result moved Spartans to 34 points, two behind leaders and champions Telkom who play Sliders on Sunday.

Spartans skipper Beatrice Mbugua said their ambitions of a top two finish are on course.

"We were not as clinical as previous matches but we were able to get the goals and keep the pressure on the leaders," she said.

It was Spartans' first match since the demise of midfielder Martha Masinde 12 days ago.

Strathmore University Scorpions remained in fourth place after a 5-0 win over Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) at the same venue earlier on.

Kenya internationals Gilly Okumu and Carol Njoki hit a brace each with Diana Akinyi adding another as Scorpions won bragging rights in the University derby.

Scorpions had to wait till a minute till the end of the first quarter to get the opener as Okumu fired home a field goal past Jkuat keeper Elizabeth Okama.

They however had to wait till the 49th minute to increase their lead as the Jkuat defence crumbled.