Photo: Nancy Chepchuba of St Francis Girls Nandi scores a goal during a handball match against Wajir Girls at Shanzu Teacher’s College Grounds yesterday. Photo/Courtesy
Reigning women’s handball champions Moi Girls, Kamusinga began their title defence in a fine form with a win over rivals Utithi Girls from Eastern at Shanzu Teachers College, Mombasa.Efforts by Geoffrey Simiyu’s charges bore fruits a few minutes to the final whistle, clinching a close 30-28 point scoreline, an indication of the teams’ determination in the Group A.The match started with Utithi in control as defending champions finished with two points behind their opponents in the first half of the match before they came high spirited in the second-half to punish their opponents with their mistakes.The four-time champions are hopeful of staging a successful defence after eliminating rivals Mukumu, look forward to the fifth title. “We are determined to defend our title.The match between us and Utithi was very tough an indication that we should not underrate any of our opponents,” said Geoffrey Simiyu, Kamusinga coach.In other results, Coast’s defending champions in the netball, Kaya Tiwi school whitewashed Moi Girls, Mandera 130-1 points in a one-sided match at Shanzu teachers college.Kaya Tiwi under Philip Onyango dominated the play from the first-half to the end of the play punishing the new entrants for their mistakes.In another netball match played at the same venue three-time champions Obambo Mixed punished St Dorcas by 48-14 in a match played at the same venue while St Francis Cheptarit beat Wajir Girls by 52-0 in girls’ handball.In boys’ handball Mukumu remain favourites this season after eliminating their opponents Kimilili were disqualified, they won their opening match by 31-14 against Barani School in a well-attended match.