Kenya Police floor battling Strathmore in Vaisakhi tourney

Kenya Police twice made their intentions of reclaiming the Vaisakhi Hockey title known after their 3-2 fight back win over Strathmore Gladiators in their opening Pool B match on Wednesday night.

Samuel Wokila scored the winner 10 minutes from time with the game seemingly headed for a draw.

Gladiators started well with Benson Ochieng breaching the Police defence to sound the board three minutes into the match but the lead only lasted eight minutes as the law enforcers hit back through Robert Masibo.

Gladiators reclaimed the lead in the 24th minute through Constant Wakhura, who scored after converting an Ochieng penalty corner. The see-saw battle continued with Police leveling again through skipper Brian Saina.

Both teams continued to attack after the break in search of further goals but both defensive units had answers to questions asked by their opponents.

However, with 10 minutes to play, Strathmore were punished for sloppy defending in their own final third and Wokila took full advantage to ensure the 2013 winners take maximum points.

Police coach Kenneth Kaunda praised his team for their fighting spirit in the encounter.

“We have been working hard in training on scoring late goals and it is coming in handy, we pushed for that winner and it eventually came. We are now on course for the semis,” Kaunda said.

His opposite counterpart Meshack Senge said his charges gave everything in the match but fatigue caught up with them in the final quarter.

“We started the game well and took an early lead but towards the end we became a little bit complacent and we got punished by an experienced side,” Senge said.

The win sees Police move top of Pool B with three points while Strathmore, who take on Uganda Simba Tuesday evening, are bottom with no points.

In Pool A, last year’s losing finalists Ghana Revenue Authority beat Greensharks 2-1 to open their title hunt with a win. The West Africansscored their goals through Moses Charles in the 11th minute and Hanson Nick’s 46th minute strike. Sharks’ consolation goal came three minutes from time through Samuel Mucheke.

In the last game, Sikh Union beat Parkroad 2-1 in a Pool D encounter. Five games have been lined up for Thursday.