NCPB, Equity, Ulinzi shine in weekend dominant displays
The trio of National Cereals & Produce Board (NCPB), Equity Bank and Ulinzi Sharks excelled in their weekend outings as the Kenya Handball League took place at the Nyayo Stadium Handball Court.
In men’s championship, NCPB, Equity Bank and Strathmore University particularly stood out with team play and impeccable results to boot. NCPB team thumped Young City (Saturday) 51-15 in a one-sided encounter with 10 separate players making a mark in the score sheet in a game that saw the Cereals side lead 24-09 at the break.
NCPB’s top scorers in the match were Nicholas Oduol on eight goals assisted by the trio of Morgan Simiyu, Timothy Kirimi and William Malui on seven and Julius Chiunda on six goals. Their defensive set-up once they did not have the ball was solid and tight as they disrupted the play of the frustrated opponents. Young City who had only six scores on the board could only boast the pair of Dickson Manyange and Danstone Shamalla on three goals apiece assisted by the trio of James Kiteuki, George Ramogi and Laban Waititu on a double each.
As for Equity Bank, it was a memorable affair as they walloped Kenyatta University 42-18 on Saturday at Nyayo Stadium Grounds. The match which saw the Bankers take an 18-08 lead at the half-time break had Jefferson Oketch take the top slot on seven goals assisted by the pair of Brian Kithinji and Francis Njoroge both on six goals apiece. The University side on its part had Kevin Macharia on four goals with the supporting axes of Stanley Ngugi, Wenceslaus Ochieng and Reuben Musyoki contributing three goals apiece.
Equity attack was fluid and fast with the opposing defense mostly being left flat-footed.
In the ladies’ league, Ulinzi Sharks had a cruise following their 43-21 Sunday win over Rangers. The intense game saw the soldiers take a deserved 22-09 lead at the break with their attack being their biggest weapon on the day. Sarah Wasike scored a game-high 14 field goals and was duly assisted by Sharon Mulei and Carren Lutengeya both on eight goals.
Rangers who attempted to put their foot down had Belinda Mulongo starring on nine goals for her side.
Meanwhile, second-placed NCPB hammered Rising Star 50-28 to maintain their unbeaten run in eight straight wins thus far in the season with 16 points in the bag. Sarah Matienga and Rolyne Awino both tied on seven goals apiece for the victors In another big game, Rangers saw off New Hope 50-11 in a one-sided encounter with Caren Masinde exploding in the match with an individual 14-goal haul in a game that Rangers led 255 at the break.
