SCHOOLS: Butere Girls off to flying start in East Africa regional ties

Butere Gils player vies for the ball against Kibauni Girls player during their match at Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

National football champions Butere Girls on Monday began their East Africa title hunt with a resounding 2-0 win over hosts Amus College in their opening Group B match.

St Joseph's Girls High School Kitale and Nyakach Girls played to a barren draw in Group A opener.

However, the going got tough for boys' national champions Highway Secondary School as they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the hands of record East Africa winners St Mary's Kitende.

Butere's Red Commandos could not be cowed by the the large crowd at Amus College grounds dominating the opening Group B match as the home girls struggled to keep up with the pace.

Butere were clearly the better side thanks to the good show by their experienced Junior Starlets and Talanta Hela team players.

Junior Starlets star Joy Angela Valencia continued with her impressive form as she put the Kenyan girls into the lead eight minutes into play.

Butere would have extended their lead by the half hour mark through a penalty after Valencia was fouled in the box, but Merciline Sakwa's kick was saved by Amus shot stopper.

Not ready to go down without a proper fight, Amus would occasionally press deep into Butere's goal, but they were met with resistance from Butere's defence led by Vidah Okeyo and goalkeeper Christine Adhiambo.

Valencia completed a brace in the second half to give Butere a well deserved victory.

Butere coach Edwin Sakwa said the win gave them a crucial push.

"We really needed this victory because winning the opening match boosts chances of qualifying for semis," he said.

In rugby 15s, All Saints Embu forced a narrow 24-23 win against defending champions St Mary's Kisubi from Uganda in their opening Group A match.

It was a good day for Kenya as Lenana School, Butula Boys High School and Kitondo Secondary school all won their opening matches.

Butula thrashed homeboys King's College Buddo 60:0 in Group B