Experience carries Ulinzi past resilient K.U

In a highly-entertaining encounter at the Nyayo Handball Court, former Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's league champions Ulinzi HC survived a Kenyatta University (K.U) attack to pick their 12th victory of the season. 

In a match of two halves, decided in the last ten minutes following a K.U slump in form, the latter's Morgan Simiyu emerged top scorer as Ulinzi won 26-22. 

The military side found themselves trailing 10-5 with 20 minutes played with the varsity side's fans going wild with each goal scored and defense that worked to stop the soldiers. 

Juma confident Kenya will defend IHF trophy title

The goals dried for about four minutes until Kelvin Imo broke the deadlock to make it 10-6. The varsity side responded immediately off the free throw line with Simiyu sending his efforts to the left to beat Ulinzi's keeper for their 11th goal. 

It was a see-saw of missed chances and scores made on both ends with the soldiers clawing at K.U's lead one goal after another to trail by two as the match went on a break. 

"We had trained well for this match but K.U came out strong as expected for any team while playing Ulinzi. I am, however, happy that my tram handled the pressure and after identifying our mistakes we were able to play for a win. 

The first half was a K.U show but that's part of the game. We had to change our approach after that first half performance and things finally worked," offered Ulinzi head coach Nixon Oyaro. 

On resumption, Ulinzi continued their onslaught and fought back to within a goal of equaling the score at 14-13. 

The varsity side went on a four-goal scoring spree to lead 18-14 and give the soldiers a mountain to climb in their quest to maintain their unbeaten streak. 

With 58 minutes and 43 seconds played K.U needed a timeout as the soldiers were a goal away from equalling the score at 18-17. Philip Isutsa stepped on the line for a penalty to equal the score at 18. 

Ulinzi took the lead at 18-19 with ten minutes left to play but Bethwel Kiprop looped to equal the score at 19 again. 

The soldiers went two goals up at 19-21 but a defensive blunder sent the lethal Morgan to the penalty line to convert for 20-21.

Ulinzi were on a roll with the varsity side giving away the ball on attack for four consecutive scores that gave them a five-goal advantage with four minutes to play. 

"Going forward, I will work on my defense as that is where we are falling short. When a team's defense works then offense comes easy," added Oyaro who is looking to guide his side to dethroning National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). 

Imo, despite being red carded in the second half, still emerged Ulinzi's tip scorer with five goals. Coach Oyaro admitted that his exit affected his team's offense. 

"He is a dependable player in the squad, often the top scorer but accidents do happen in the sport. His exit left a dent in his position, and without taking anything away form the players that replaced him, his absence was felt," added Oyaro.