Kenyatta University Vultures beat Strathmore in Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League

Kenyatta University Joseph Njoroge hits the ball as Mvita x1 player gives way when they played Premier league at City Park. [ PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE]

Hockey premier league debutants Kenyatta University (KU) Vultures drubbed two-time league champions Strathmore University Gladiators 4-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men's premier league match played at City Park Stadium on Sunday.

Shadrack Ruto scored a brace in the first half to give the Vultures a 2-0 lead by half time, while Kelvin Barasa crowned it all with two more goals in the second half.

Sibling rivalry played was evident as KU coach Walter Onyango and junior brother Meshack Senge of Strathmore led their sides.

Onyango told Feverpitch that his boys stuck to the plan resulting in victory. "We remained focused and stuck to our plan, we agreed to play in their half and it worked for us, first half goals gave us confidence shaking our opponents and we capitalized on that to beat them."

Ruto beat Strathmore defender Derrick Kuloba sending the ball between goalkeeper Simon Odhiambo legs to give KU the lead in the 22nd minute. Ruto was at it again five minutes later as he converted a penalty corner to make it 2-0 for the Vultures.

The second goal caused Strathmore tactician Senge to react making changes in the goal with John Wekesa replacing Odhimbo in the second half. However, that did not change anything for the 2009 and 2010 champions Gladiators as Wekesa conceded two goals in six minutes.

Senge admitted that his boys had a bad day in office as they paid the price for their dreary performance. "My boys had a bad day in office, they were lackluster unlike them, (KU) who knew what they wanted and went for it," Senge said.

Victory for the Vultures completed a successful weekend out as on Saturday they had edged out Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) 1-0. MSC on the other hand left the city empty-handed having lost all their matches. They trampled in their second weekend encounter as they lost 4-0 to Wazalendo yesterday.

Veteran James Mwangi who had been out of action due to an injury scored a brace while Fidelis Kimanzi and Nelson Shilaku score one-goal-a-piece to give Wazalendo the much needed victory.

In the only women's league match this weekend, Sliders hammered MSC women's side 4-0. A brace from Doris Kirui and a goal each from Njeri Kariuki and Lynette Onyango handed Sliders three crucial points. Karate Axiom humbles Impala club 6-1 in the men's second division tier.