Maseno, Kangaru in rugby semis

High-riding Maseno High School from the Lake region and Kangaru Boys (Highlands) lock horns in a mouth-watering rugby semi-final match of the Brookside secondary schools Term One games at Nakuru Boys High School today.

And six-time winners Kakamega High face a litmus test when they clash with high-riding Laiser Hill from Metropolitan region in another tough semi-final match.

Maseno made sure Alliance High School made a sad exit at the championships, winning 24-10 in a fast-paced match played under scorching sunshine.

Paul Akatch opened the scoring for Maseno in the third minute when he scored a try and moments later Timothy Ogobe landed a second try which was converted by Jeurgen Omeka.

Victor Otieno stretched the lead for Maseno with the third try in the 16th minute before Ogobe sealed the fate of the Aberdares representatives with another try which was converted by Omeka.

SECOND HALF

Upon, resumption Alliance, coached by Mwangi Kirimi, came back rejuvenated and Samuel Maina reduced the deficit via a penalty try in the 4oth minute before Herbert Mowo booted another penalty try in the 54th minute.

Mowo, who gave a good account of himself but lacked the necessary support upfront, scored the conversion.

Kangaru hope to improve on their 2010 runners-up position against Maseno. They beat St George’s from Coast region 36-0. The Benson Mwenda-coached side have never won the trophy. The closest they came was five years ago when they were fell to Mang’u in the final in Mombasa.

“I know our opponents (Maseno) are an all-round side but we’re also equal to the task and they should not expect to have their way as my boys are ready for the battle and only the final whistle will be the ultimate judge,” said coach Mwenda.

Against St George’s Kangaru started their scoring spree in the first minute when Gibson Njiru touched down a try before Kelvin Mburu added a penalty in the 13th minute. Captain Theophlous Soo drilled in the second try in the 30th minute which was converted by Mburu.

Upon resumption, Soo scored another try in the 33rd minute which was converted by Njiru. Christopher Mbogo and Kelvin Mburu scored two tries in a row in the last moments of the game which were converted by Mburu.

Meanwhile, Kakamega High clash with high-riding Laiser Hill in another semi-final match today. Laiser Hill reached the semis after wallopping newcomers Simotwo High from Mau region 58-3 to finish runners-up in pool ‘B’.

Kakamega, who are heavily tipped to win back the title they last claimed in 2013, will have to at their best to overcome a vastly-improved Laiser Hill who have never won the national title.

In their last preliminary match, Kakamega fielded a second-string side that that battled to a barren draw with Menengai High School (Mau region).