Kakamega High School players celebrate winning their game. [PHOTO/standardmedia.co.ke]
Kakamega High School defeated Laiser Hill 18-14 to reclaim their National Secondary School 15s rugby trophy in a nerve-racking final staged at the Nairobi School on Saturday.
The Barbarians touched down two times, made a single conversion and scored two penalties over Laiser Hill who converted two tries.
They began the match on a high, going up 15-0 before the deficit was reduced to 15-7 by tough-fighting Laiser at half time.
From the break, Kakamega had to rely on defensive strength with Laiser narrowing the lead to 15-14 but centre Derrick Ashiundu nailed everything with a penalty to see the final whistle hand Kakamega an 18-14 win and the trophy.
The two sides had met at the preliminary stages to see the Barbarians overcome Laiser 10-8 in a revenge mission that left coach Amos Wamanga purring.
“It was a very tough final. We had a good start and managed to keep them at bay and then used our wingers well. They came back stronger in the second half, but we constrained them and they succumbed to the pressure. It feels good to be champions once again,” Wamanga said.
This year's is Kakamega's seventh national trophy in the category and ends their three-year wait for the national cup.
The Barbarians are also East Africa's defending champions.