Lenana School lads win opener

Lenana School’s Hillary Tanu tackles Ofafa Jericho’s Brannie Temba during last year’s Metropolitan Region secondary schools Term One Games at Upper Hill School on March 27, 2015. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Champions Ofafa Jericho prove too good for Moi Forces Academy
  • The championship continues Sunday as teams chase tickets to Metropolitan region championships.

Last year’s 15s rugby losing finalists Lenana School on Saturday beat St Aloysius 19-5 in their opening match of the Nairobi County Secondary Schools Term One games played at Lenana School.

In other results, Muhuri Muchiri thrashed Ruthmitu 41-17 while St Mary’s School edged Highway 18-17.

Hosts Lenana underlined their intentions of reclaiming the title with an emphatic display to collect three points in their opening Pool ‘B’ encounter.

Scrum-half Jeff Akunga, Abel Kiplimo and Arnold Nyakego scored Lenana’s tries, with the latter converting twice while Moses Mwangi scored a consolation try for the visitors late in the match.

Lenana coach Peter Mbaye praised his charges for the win and urged his charges to maintain consistency in their coming matches.

“It is always important to get a good start and we are happy with the result, we can know focus on improving on offloading and also defence which are some of our weak areas,” the coach told Sunday Nation Sport.

With reigning champions Ofafa Jericho winning their opening match in Pool ‘A’ 14-13 against Moi Forces Academy last weekend, pressure was on Lenana to get a good result in their opener.

They were on the offensive from the first minute and Akunga raced clear after only three minutes to touch down for his team’s first try of the season. Nyakego was unsuccessful with the conversion with Lenana leading 5-0.

Akunga and Nyakego were a constant menace to the Aloysius defence and the duo exchanged passes before offloading to Kiplimo who left his maker for dead to score in between the posts as Lenana increased their lead to 10-0 at the drinks.

Nyakego who was impressive throughout the match finally got his reward after he outmuscled his marker to touch down his team’s third try. He successful converted to confirm the win.

Muhuri Muchiri underlined their intentions of winning the title with an impressive display against Ruthmitu hitting seven tries and three conversions during the match. Brian Ondego, Amon Wamalwa and Kevin Agwambo scored two tries each while Stephen Omusikoyo powered home one try.

James Omondi late try for Ruthmitu was unable to prevent defeat for his team in the Pool ‘D’ encounter. In the other pool match, St Mary’s edged out a pulsating encounter against rivals to record their opening win of the season.

The championship continues Sunday as teams chase tickets to Metropolitan region championships.