Going gets tough

National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Men’s team have opened a six point gap at the helm of the National Handball League.

Their feat comes even when the cereal men have played two matches less than their opponents.

NCPB beat Strathmore University 27-19 and have 26 points to their name out of 11 matches.

In the weekend match played at Nyayo Stadium, Ian Oloo on 14 goals was the main performer as he constantly breached the backline of the opposing side.

Timothy Kirimi on six goals was the second highest scorer in the electric game which had the multiple winners on a 11-6 score at the break. Chrisitian Georgia who was on goal for NCPB was a busy man blocking lots of shots from the opponents.

 Strathmore’s trio of Prevelia Muhani, Brian Murangiri and Simon Oduor struck three hat-tricks apiece. Another trio of Phillip Mumo, Samson Oduor and Shadrack Lenku notched two goals each in the game that could have gone either way.

In another duel, Kenyatta University Men’s team ran over University of Eldoret Pippers 51- 27 with the former’s Bethuel Kiprop on 13 goals and Julius Chiunda on 11 goals.

 The first half saw KU lead 23-12 against the visitors who had Dan Ombasa as the top scorer for the North Rift based side. Edwin Limo and Onesmus Kiptum both contributed five goals apiece for UOE-Pippers even though their backline was constantly sliced open with waves of attacks. In another match, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) men’s team saw off Technical University of Kenya (TUK) 22-20.

  The winners had Lewis Maraga nail six goals as Derrick Mwathi and George Oganda accounted for five each.

On the other hand, the losing side had Brian Werengai leading the scoring charts with eight goals. Both sides had tight defenses and there were no clear-cut scoring chances in a match that saw JKUAT leading TUK 12-11 at the break.

In the Ladies category, Ulinzi Sharks humbled Kenyatta University 34-12 with the former’s Sarah Wasike being top-scorer with 12 goals followed by Euphrasia Mukasia with seven.

The first half which was closely contested saw Ulinzi leading 12-10.

 On the other end, KU struggled but managed only two goals, thanks to a disciplined show by their opponents in the rearguard.

Elsewhere, Nairobi City County Women’s Team got the better of New Hope 32-14 in a one sided encounter.

Winnie Cherop led the score chart with 14 goals with NCC dominating through flank attacks and overall great team play. Caroline Chebet was second in the log with eight goals for NCC who led 18-07 at the break. Florence Sangisa had 10 goals and was only amongst two scorers for her team with Timonah Barasa on three.