KSSSA: Butula pick first win as All Saints, Mang'u shine in Machakos
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 10.04.24. | 18:43
Butula will face off with All Saints Embu in the final pool match of the day scheduled for Thursday 11
Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) rugby 15s defending champions Butula High registered their first in the ongoing Term One Games after seeing off Rift Valley champions St Patrick's Iten 67-3 in a Pool B match played on Wednesday 10 April at Machakos Boys.
The Western-based school was coming from a barren draw against Kisii School while St Patrick's were looking to bounce back from their 27-8 defeat in the hands of All Saints Embu in their opening pool match.
Michael Lukusi was the man of the match, scoring three tries for Butula and drilling in six conversions.
Amani Reuben and John Onyango each added a brace for Butula with Adrian Kwesa, Daniel Wafula, Robert Carlos, and Chadwick Omondi all adding their names to the scoring party.
Iten's sole points came through Gideon Kimutai's drop goal.
Speaking after the match, Butula coach Shimenga Libondo praised his charges for their zeal, noting that their hard work was finally paying off.
He explained that their barren draw to Kisii School was due to the sorry state of the pitch.
"Yesterday's score was beyond our control but I am happy that today the boys executed their moves well. They are disciplined and understand the laws of the game," the tactician offered.
Butula will face off with All Saints Embu in the final pool match of the day scheduled for Thursday 11.
The match will be a repeat of the 2023 KSSSA national finals where Butula defeated their opponents 38-0.
"We have met our opponents before and we expect a very entertaining match," he said.
Meanwhile, Kisii were off to a disappointing second day after suffering a narrow 6-3 defeat in the hands of All Saints.
Kitondo also suffered a 12-8 defeat at the hands of Mang'u High School. The former scored through Macharia Mburu and Karisa Khamis.image Dismas Matibe added the extras.
Kitondo managed a five-pointer and a penalty kick thanks to Kenfry Shisaba and Roman Wanjiru.
KSSSA newbies Marafa went down 37-3 to Lena High School after a spirited fight.
At the same time, St Joseph Kitale were crowned the winner of the girls' rugby 15s category after whipping Hidden Talent 22-0 in the final played at the Machakos Showground.
This year's edition received a Ksh30 million boost from Brookside Company. Speaking on behalf of the company, Wilson Okong’o, Brookside’s communications manager noted that they were excited to be part of the national history.
He insisted on the company's commitment to help grow talents in the country.
"The competition is intense. It has also brought social integration among these players because they come from different parts of the country. That is among our national goals of education," he started.
"It makes us happy to see these teams competitions. There are scouts all over to identify the talents. We aim to create continuity and leave no talent behind," Okong'o concluded.
KSSSA Rugby 15s Round-Up
Mang'u High 12-8 Kitondo
Lena High 37-3 Marafa High
Butula Boys 67-3 St Patrick's Iten
All Saints Embu 6-3 Kisii High School
