Battle of titans as Kisii School and Upper Hill School collide in boys' rugby 15s final

Abdalla Mohammed of Upper sprints past Kakamega High School players in the rugby semi final/ANGWENYI GICHANA

Former champions Upper Hill School will play Kisii School in the boys' rugby 15s final at the ongoing Brookside national secondary schools games in Kisumu on Saturday.

Kisii, the defending Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) champions, defeated rivals St Mary’s School, Yala, 13-3 to reach a second consecutive final.

It was sweet revenge for Kisii after losing the Nyanza region title to Yala last month. Kisii are seeking their maiden national title having lost 12-6 to Vihiga Boys in last year’s final at Shimo la Tewa School in Mombasa.

Ezekiel Wanjala crossed the whitewash for Kisii’s lone try with Laystone Onduko completing the extras with a converstation and penalties. Yala’s consolation penalty was scored by Timothy Wesonga.

Kisii School coach Edwin Morara said the win in the Nyanza derby underlines their title credentials.

“We have played Upper Hill before, and we know they are a formidable team. Our last two encounters have ended in 3-0 and 5-0 wins for us. I expect another close game on Saturday,” said Morara.

“The boys have been an imperious form. We want to win the national trophy. iI’s the only title we don’t have.”

Elsewhere, Upper Hill beat former national and East Africa champions, Upper Hill, 12-11 in a closely contested game. With Kakamega leading 11-7 at the hooter, Abdalla Mohammed landed a try to give Upper Hill the victory.

Upper Hill coach Eustace Siguna said: “I knew the game against Kakamega will be difficult. Despite being down until the last minute, they didn’t lose hope. Against Kisii, expect a win.”

Both teams go into the final with a 100 per cent record.

Yala will battle it out with Kakamega High in the third place play off.

In the girls’ rugby, it will be a battle between usual suspects, Kinale Girls from Central and St Joseph’s Girls' Kitale. 

Kinale, the national rugby 7s defending champions, cruised to the final after an emphatic 49-0 victory over Mbagathi Girls' from Nairobi.

 In the second semi-final, St Joseph’s Girls' Kitale defeated Mwira Girls' 8-5 in a closely contested, nerve-wracking semi-final.

It will be a repeat of the opening game where Kinale overcame St Joseph’s Girls' 22-0. Kinale coach Allan Bush says he expects a better performance from the girls.

“The girls have adapted to the weather. The final will be entertaining and competitive. I expect a much better performance,” said Bush.

Mwira and Kinale will fight for the bronze medal.