Kenya reigns supreme over Zimbabwe in Gilgil

Izzy Voorspuy (left), Archie Voorspuy, Amani Nzomo and Will Millar. [Ben Ahenda, Standard]

At last, Kenya avenged their last year's defeat in the hands of Zimbabweans in Harare.

The Kenya 8-Goal-side defeated Zimbabwe 5-3 in an Eight-Goal-Championships at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil over the weekend.

At the end of it, two players emerged supreme in the fight for top honours.

They are newly capped handicap 1.5 international Amani Nzomo and the experienced handicap 4.5 Jamie Murray.

Amani was rated as a superb defender and offender, as Murray used his vast experience to mold an upcoming outfit that included handicap 2 Will Millar and handicap 0 Lochie Stichbury.

Amani scored three of the five goals, while Murray bagged the rest, all spread in the four chukkas.

Handicap 1 Bj Bowen (two) and Captain Tommy Woods (one) replied for the Zimbabweans.

Wood paid a glowing tribute to the duo, describing the two as diminutive attackers.

“Amani is a superb defender and an aggressive attacker, while Millar is good in assists and defending. That’s what made them to contain us,” he said.

Amani said he was happy to emerge as the tournament's top scorer, but promised to improve on his training sessions.

“Fitness is what kept us going, but I’ll try to improve on my fitness levels in future international assignments,” he said.

Last year, Kenya lost 6-5 to Zimbabwe in a 15-Goal-international match at Thorn Park Polo Club in Harare.

“We gave it our best, but I must admit we lost to a better side,” said Bowen.

Earlier, the Zimbabweans had fallen 6-5 against the Kenyan Ladies’ side in the Fawcus Cup championships.

The Kenyan Ladies, Manyatta Cider Izzy Voorspuy, Megan Griffiths, Cheza Millar and Izzy Stichbury, later won the Fawcus Cup in the six-team-round-robin series.

They are scheduled to take a flight to Lusaka this week for the Zambian International Championships set for Sunday.