Kisii School retain county rugby 15s title after edging Cardinal Otunga

Kisii School rugby 15s players after a training session on Wednesday/ANGWENYI GICHANA

Reigning champions Kisii School successfully defended the Kisii County rugby 15s title on Friday after edging Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho, 13–3 in a tense final played on a rain-soaked Kisii School pitch.

A cagey first half saw Kisii rely on the boot of Laystone Onduko, who slotted two penalties to hand the hosts a 6–0 advantage at the break. Cardinal Otunga reignited their hopes moments after the restart when Eugine Ochieng calmly converted a penalty to narrow the deficit to 6–3.

However, Kisii soon restored control when Edwin Mokaya powered over the whitewash for a try, stretching the lead to 11–3 before Onduko added the extras to seal the victory.

Earlier in the opening game of the tournament, Kisii—who are the reigning Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools (FEASSA) and Nyanza regional rugby 15s champions—had also beaten Cardinal Otunga 11–5.

The champions stormed into the final after thrashing Bong’onta 62–0 in the semifinals, while Cardinal Otunga booked their place by hammering Gesero 41–0. Kisii coach Edwin Morara praised his players’ resilience after a slow start.

“We had a slow start, but as the game progressed, the boys composed themselves and won several penalties. The boys learnt from their previous mistakes and implemented the game plan, which paid off,” said Morara.

“Our defence was up to the task while the attack was well coordinated.” Both Kisii School and Cardinal Otunga will now represent the county at the Nyanza regional championships set for Kisumu School from March 17 to 21.

In the girls’ rugby category, Nyabisase Mixed stunned county 7s champions Nyagichenche 3–0 to lift the title. Kereri Girls also retained the girls’ basketball crown after defeating Ayora Mixed 52–24 in the final. Kereri had earlier beaten Nyabisase 46–28 in the semifinals, while Ayora overcame former champions St Angela’s Sengera 53–36.

The boys’ basketball final between Kisii School and Nyanchwa was abandoned following crowd trouble, with Nyabisase settling for third place after thrashing Cardinal Otunga 114–47.

Kisii School also dominated boys’ handball, beating Nyamokenye 39–14 to clinch the title. In the semifinals, Kisii edged former champions Ndonyo 20–16 while Nyamokenye narrowly beat Nyanchwa Boys 17–15.

In the girls’ handball final, Ndonyo Mixed retained the title after overcoming Nyangweta 13–10. Ndonyo had earlier defeated Kereri Girls 23–15 in the semifinals, while Nyangweta beat Nyamokenye 20–13.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Nyamira County, Nyambaria Boys claimed the boys’ basketball title after beating former champions Nyamira Boys 35–23, while Manga Girls retained the girls’ crown with a 33–21 win over Sironga Girls.

Gekano Boys narrowly edged Nyambaria 17–16 to retain the boys’ handball title, while St Thomas Moore lifted the girls’ trophy. Nyambaria School also won the rugby 15s title after beating St Kizito High School, Nyansiongo 15–0 in the final.