Upper Hill dominance under threat

Upper Hill’s dominance in Nairobi’s School Games will be put to test Friday as the Region’s Term One Secondary School Games get underway across several venues in the city.

Dagoretti High School, under the leadership of former Upper Hill Principal Peter Orero, are planning to wrestle the titles from the favourites.

Upper Hill will be defending their boys’ basketball and rugby 15s title in the three-day showpiece, which will also feature hockey and swimming alongside handball and athletics, which until last year were part of the now abolished Term Two A Games.

Orero, who was at the helm of Upper Hill for over a decade before his transfer last year, was credited with making the school a sporting powerhouse not just in the country but also the region. And he is hoping to write a new chapter with Dagoretti.

In rugby 15s, Dagoretti are in a relatively easy pool C which has Jamhuri High School and Uhuru Secondary School. Orero has brought in former Upper Hill coach Victor Walgwe to give his team the winning mentality and the new man is eager to make his mark.

“The lads are rearing to go and confidence is sky high that this can be the year we claim our maiden title,” Walgwe told Nation Sport. The team was eliminated at the quarterfinal stage last year.

Upper Hill have coincidentally replaced Victor with his younger brother, Thomas to ensure they retain their title. Upper Hill are in pool A and will be up against Ushirikia in their opening encounter before tackling Sunshine later on.

The key is just to continue with the winning formula and see where it gets us, obviously pressure is on us as the champions,” Thomas noted.

Last year’s finalists Nairobi School, Ofafa Jericho and Muhuri Muchiri will also look to seal their spots in the last eight.

In basketball, Upper Hill open their defence against Dandora and Kayole South Schools in pool A and will be expected to prevail to the quarters.

Last year's finalists Highway are in Group G where they play Nairobi School. Group B has Dagoretti High, Our Lady of Fatima and Garden Estate, whereas C has Muhuri Muchiri, Eastleigh High and Sunshine.

Moi Forces Academy are in Group D with Aquinas, whereas Stathmore School are in Group E alongside Embakasi Garrison and Pumwani.

Girls’ basketball champions Buru Buru Girls launch their defence against St Aloysius and St Teresa's Girls.

Winners of the various disciplines will represent the region at next month’s National Term One Games in Embu.

Friday's Rugby 15s fixtures

Group A

Upper Hill v Ushirika

Sunshine v Ushirika

Upper Hill v Sunshine

Group B

Nairobi School v Raila Educational Centre

Langata v Raila Educational Centre

Nairobi School v Langata

Group C

Dagoretti High v Uhuru

Jamhuri v Uhuru

Dagoretti v Jamhuri

Group D

Ofafa v Garden Estate

MFA v Garden Estate

Ofafa v MFA

Group E

Muhuri Muchiri v Komarock

Aquinas v Komarock

Muhuri Muchiri v Aquinas

Group F

Strathmore v Kayole South

Lenana v Kayole South

Strathmore v Lenana