Utithi, Barding High off to winning start in School Games

Utithi High School and Barding High recorded impressive wins as the National Secondary Schools Term Two ‘A’ Games got underway on Tuesday at the Kangaru High School, Embu County.

Utithi from Metropolitan Region beat Garissa High 2-1 (Northern region) in the newly introduced boys’ Under-16 football competition while Lake Region’s Barding thrashed Mau Region’s Simotwo High 4-0 in the opening Pool A matches.

Utithi recovered after going down 1-0 to 34th minute goal from Garissa High forward Abdi Rashid Bahir to level matters four minutes before the break through Richard Mwechini.

Skipper Nicholas Muli struck the winner for Utithi a minute after the restart and the Machakos County School held out for the three points.

“It was important to get a good start in the competition and our focus now lies in ensuring we reach the semi-finals,” Muli told Daily Nation Sport on Tuesday.

“Garissa shocked us with their quick pace but we grew into the game and capitalised on their fatigue late on,” he added.

Three first half goals from Ian Mutanda, Ziko Roocha and John Ong’onda gave Barding a 3-0 lead at halftime before Mutanda added his second to complete the rout for the Lake Region side.

Simotwo were unable to deal with Barding’s impressive wingers who tormented their defence with marauding runs. Utithi take on Barding this afternoon in what should be a cracking encounter, with the winner assured of a place in the last four.

“We are here to win the title and the win today (Tuesday) should serve as a warning to other teams,” two-goal hero Mutanda said.

In girls’ football, favourites Wiyeta Girls (Nzoia Region) and Metropolitan’s Olympic Mixed also got off to winning starts. Wiyeta hammered Katuku High from Highlands Region 6-1 while Olympic edged out Aberdare Region’s Passenga Mixed 1-0 in Pool A matches.

KIMILILI TROUNCE MUTONGUNI

Boys’ handball champions Kimilili Boys launched their title defence with a 35-14 win over Mutonguni High from Highlands Region. The Nzoia Region school, who are chasing an eighth title, led 20-10 at the break before increasing the tally in the second half.

Kevin Imo, last year’s Most Valuable Player, starred for the national champions with 10 goals while Isaac Kololi notched nine goals past Mutonguni keeper Kiteme Ngelenzi. Joseph Kyalo ended with five goals for Mutonguni.

In the other Pool A match, Metropolitan’s Makongeni High marked their return to the national games with a 22-12 win over St Georges (Coast) in a thrilling match.

In netball, Mukuyu from Nzoia Region beat Aberdare Region champions Karuri High 31-26 in a Pool A girls' encounter.