Kangaru, Kirigara sail into quarters at Embu Games

Kangaru School and Kirigara Girls stormed to the quarter finals in the Rugby 15’s and Basketball respectively in their quest to retain their titles at the ongoing Eastern Region School Games which entered day two on Thursday in Kangaru, Embu County.

In rugby, the defending champions made it to the last eight unscathed edging their bitter rivals Ikuu Boys of Tharaka Nithi 25-0 in the final preliminary matches to top Pool A with nine points.

Flanker Derick Muriithi was the hero in the mouthwatering tie scoring two tries in each half of the game while Alpha Gathu made it three in the dying moments of the match with Morris Kariuki scoring a penalty and two conversions.

Ikuu also made it to the last eight after finishing as runners up behind Kangaru winning against Kitui School of Kitui and Matungulu of Machakos County who both crashed out of the competition.

The recently crowned Embu champions will face inexperienced  Dakabaricha of Marsabit in the last eight on Friday, and the reigning champions head coach Benson Mwenda is upbeat they will trounce their opponents.

“Although going forward the competition will be tough, I am sure we will make it to the semis but Dakabaricha who are the County champions I know they will give us a head ache,” Mwenda told Citizen Digital.

In their en route to the quarters the Marsabit side walloped Makueni Champions Kathonzweni  and Miathenie of Meru County in Pool matches.

Meanwhile, basketball defending champions Kirigara of Meru County who for a long time has dominated the game made it to the last eight unbeaten in their pool.

The Meru queens saw off Gitara of Embu by 68-16 points winning all the quarters with 25-0, 11-4, 14-8 and 18-4.

Speaking to the Citizen Digital the Meru champions head coach Peter Muriungi noted that this year’s edition is experiencing stiff competition with many emerging schools.

“The game has grown immensely in our region with many new good teams coming up and although we sailed through easily I expect a tough duel in the quarters,” noted the seasoned coach who has guided the team to win the regional games since 2013.

Their compatriots Meru School announced their intention to reclaim their title they lastly clinched in 2009 by beating Mbooni Boys of Makueni 55-36 in boy’s category to sail through as winners in Pool A.

Speaking in the post-match interview the Meru County champions head coach Paul Muli warned their opponents noting that they made it despite pooled in a tough draw.

“This year we only want to win this title because it has been long since we made it to the podium. I know there are champions Kangaru and other good teams like Lukenya and Kasikeu but our target still remains the same, to win,” upbeat Muli said.

In hockey defending champions St.Joseph from Makueni beat Tala girls of Machakos 5-0 in their second match making it to the last eight after they had won their first match against Gategi of Embu.