Wazalendo beaten by former champions Butali Warriors

**Kenya Police's Benson Wahongo (left) and Barnabas Odhiambo of Butali Warriors** **during Premier League match at City Park Hockey Stadium on March 26, 2022.** [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Former Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Men’s Premier League champions Butali Warriors bounced back from their disappointing last outing to beat Wazalendo Hockey Club 3-2 in a match played yesterday at Dashamesh Stadium.

Warriors, who went into the match on the back of a humbling 1-6 defeat to United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Mashujaa, did not take any chances, taking a 3-0 halftime advantage. They put up a spirited fight in the second half, protecting their lead to the whistle even as Wazalendo fought tooth and nail to recover and probably win the match.

Two quick first-quarter goals from Calvins Omondi and Moses Ademba in the sixth and 10th minutes could have destroyed Wazalendo’s game plan, forcing them to play catch-up. Festus Onyango would ensure that Butali minimised Wazalendo’s chances of staging a comeback by outsmarting goalkeeper Bright Kezengwa to sound the board for a third goal in the 24th minute.

With a 3-0 advantage, Warriors defended well, protecting their lead to the end despite Wazalendo’s efforts to turn the game around. Griffin Okombe pulled one back in the 38th, with Mathew Momanyi converting a penalty corner in the 59th minute, but it was a little too late for Wazalendo to salvage the game.

At the Parklands Sports Club, KCA University held defending champions Western Jaguars to a 3-3 draw. Today, Butali will face off with Western Jaguars, while Wazalendo will play against Strathmore University Gladiators in their last first-leg encounters.

In the Women’s title hunt, defending champions Blazers Hockey Club showed no mercy to debutants Twinkle Hockey Club, routing them 5-0 at the Jamhuri High School. The victory saw Blazers finish the first leg on top of the table with 21 points out of the possible 27.

Evergreen Eleanor Chebet, who has been very impressive throughout the first leg, struck thrice to condemn Twinkle to their fifth loss. Aurelia Opondo, who is also among this season’s lead scorers, put Blazers in the lead two minutes into play as she outwitted the Twinkle defence to hit the ball past goalkeeper Diana Kirui. Chebet would not allow the opponents time to regroup, scoring her first seconds later for a 2-0 advantage.

Sensing the danger in their half, Twinkle quickly tightened their defence, ensuring that they denied goal-hungry Blazers’ strikers a chance to score. They managed to contain Blazers for the remaining part of the first half, maintaining the scoreline.

However, Chebet would be more vicious in the second half, scoring her second and a third for her side within seconds of resumption. She completed her hattrick in the 38th minute, with Joan Anjao making it 5-0 in the 43rd minute.

Blazers who are looking to extend their dominance of women’s hockey in the country also maintained their unbeaten run. The record winners dropped six points in three draws against Kisumu Queens, United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans and Amira Sailors.

In the Men’s Super League, leaders Greensharks, who are seeking a return to the top tier, bolstered their campaign with a 2-0 win against Kisumu Youngsters. Ian Oyale's two penalty corner conversions in both halves were enough to see Sharks consolidate their top spot on the standings.