SCHOOL GAMES: Flying starts for Koyonzo, Alliance, Vihiga, Upper Hill as Rugby 7s kicks off

Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) rugby 7s national games kicked off on Tuesday 8 August at the Bull Ring Grounds in Kakamega.

For the first time in history, a North Eastern team, Wayam was represented. The host region, Western fielded three teams; Koyonzo, Bungoma, and Vihiga.

Ladies too made their maiden KSSSA national rugby 7s appearance in what capped an interesting opening day.

POOL A

Koyonzo High School kicked off their pool A campaign on a high, seeing off Rift Valley's Bwake High School 19-0 in the first men's match.

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Elly Okwemba's charges scored through Kevin Maiche, Eric Simiyu, and Brandon Mulefu. Eric managed two conversions.

In the same pool, Alliance High hit Shimba Hills 22-0. Alliance managed a brace through Michael Odhiambo. Shadrack Onsero and Joel Mailu also scored for the Nairobi region champions.

Pool B

Maseno started the day on a wrong footing, losing 36-5 to Vihiga High. Vihiga scored through Owen Kedera, Austin Kisuza, Victor Wawire, Emmanuel Pila, and Fredrick Omondi.

Lenana also held off Kiambu High School 14-5 to kick-start their national quest on a high. The Nairobi-based school impressed with tries from Alvin Njau and Joel Ochego. Michael Omumia managed the conversions.

Kiambu's unconverted sole try was through Alvin Kinyanjui.

Pool C

In this pool, Menengai High school defeated Coastal based Garashi Secondary 21-5, while Kitondo saw off Eastern rivals Kangaru 26-7.

Kitondo scored five-pointers through David Mwangi, Kevin Ochieng, and Roman Kimani. Kenfry Shishaba added the extras. Kangaru only managed a converted try.

Pool D

The last two games of the day saw well conditioned Bungoma High School beat St Mary's Yala 7-5.

The Nyanza Region champions scored through Glacious Nganya while Bungoma won courtesy of a converted five-pointer through Emmanuel Mwakan. Emmanuel Nambaf added the extras.

Nairobi champions Upper Hill saw off North Eastern's Wayam High 53-0 in the final match played close to dusk. Kelvin Albert scored the opening try for Upper Hill while Samuel Otieno converted. More tries followed from Melvin Mwinyi, Samuel Owino, and Joshua Ongeri.

Day one collated results

Eregi 24-5 KORU

Nkuene 19-0 Cannon Kituri

Koyonzo 19-0 Bwake

Alliance 22-0 Shimba Hills

St Maurice 10-0 Bushiangala

B Sulumeti 29-0 Paul Harris

Vihiga 36-0 Maseno

Lenana 14-5 Kiambu

Hidden Talent 25-5 Kivandini

Madira Girls 17-0 Jomo Kenyatta

Menengai High 21-5 Garashi High

Kitondo 26-7 Kangaru

Kinale 00-00 Nyamira

Gilgil 30-0 Silver

Bungoma High 7-5 St Mary's Yala

Upperhill 53-0 Wayam High