MMUST stage dramatic comeback as Kabarak, Maseno shine at KUSF play-offs
Defending champions Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) edged neighbours Maseno University 12-10 in a thrilling women’s rugby sevens clash at the ongoing Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) play-offs at the Kabarak University Grounds in Nakuru County.
Mary Nasimiyu scored the decisive try as MMUST stunned Maseno in a tightly contested encounter.
With Maseno leading 10-5 at the hooter, Nasimiyu collected the ball from Christine Loyce near the 10-metre line and sprinted between the posts to level the scores at 10-10. Loyce calmly added the extras to seal a dramatic comeback victory.
MMUST had taken an early 5-0 lead through Judy Atieno’s unconverted try before Maseno’s Esther Munyangi responded with a similar effort to tie the scores at halftime.
On resumption, Susan Njeri crossed over for another unconverted try to give Maseno a 10-5 advantage, but Nasimiyu’s late converted try handed the defending champions a memorable win.
Men’s rugby
Hosts Kabarak University made full use of home advantage, thrashing Kabianga University 19-0 in their opening match of day two.
Wilson Tonya starred with a brace of tries while Adrian Kotut added another. Tonya opened the scoring with Emmanuel Waswa converting for 7-0. Kotut then touched down for an unconverted try to make it 12-0 before Tonya completed his brace, with Waswa again adding the extras for the final 19-0 score.
Former champions Maseno University were equally dominant, hammering Lukenya University 43-0.
James Gathu converted Elvis Korir’s opening try for 7-0 before Arnold Otieno added an unconverted effort for 12-0. Lewis Ogado extended the lead, with Gathu converting for 19-0. Weser Brandly crossed the whitewash with Gathu adding the extras for 26-0. Erick Otieno then scored, converted by Gathu, for 31-0. Felix Wanogoya added another converted try before Korir returned to seal the emphatic victory.
Maseno coach Vincent Odhiambo said they were proud of the performance as they shift focus to the East Africa Games next month.
“We came here well prepared for victory and that is why we had to start on a good note. Ours is to secure big wins not just for the school but for the country as a whole,” he said.“Our aim is to lift this title to motivate the students.”
In another closely fought match, Chuka University narrowly beat Maasai Mara University 12-7.
Masai Mara struck first through Austin Kizaza, with Alvin Musembi converting for a 7-0 lead. Ephraim Okuku pulled one back with an unconverted try (7-5) before Allan Wekesa converted Jefferson Mutuma’s try to hand Chuka victory.
3×3 Basketball
A new men’s 3×3 basketball champion will be crowned on Saturday following the elimination of defending champions Kenyatta University.
Newcomers Murang’a University of Technology (MUT) knocked out the holders 17-9 to book a semifinal slot.
In other men’s quarterfinals, Daystar University beat Strathmore University 18-14, Mount Kenya University edged University of Nairobi 17-16 and Embu University defeated University of Eldoret 18-13.
MUT will now face Embu as Daystar take on MKU in the semifinals.
In the women’s matches, Strathmore defeated MKU 20-11, United States International University Africa (USIU) beat Meru University of Science and Technology 15-7, Kisii University overcame Egerton University 16-7 and UON thrashed MUT 21-8.
In the semifinals, Strathmore will face UON as USIU tackle Kisii.
The Kabarak extravaganza features 15 indoor disciplines including badminton, table tennis, darts, scrabble, taekwondo, karate and chess alongside five outdoor sports: woodball, baseball, rugby sevens, rollball and 3×3 basketball.
