Strathmore overpower GSU for crucial KHF points

As the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's league takes shape, one of the top guns, General Service Unit (GSU) suffered their first loss of the season in the hands of Strathmore University. 

The match played at Nyayo Handball Court lived up to its biling as both sides exchanged blow for blow, none relenting in their quest for victory. However, lady luck smiled on Strathmore's as they went on to win the match 27-25. 

It was the paramilitary side who went 3-1 up in the opening minutes of the game but the students were right with them, levelling the score and assumed lead by a single goal that was not broken as the match headed to the break with Strathmore leading 13-12. 

"This was expected. We prepared for such a match but luck was not on our side. We had the speed and skill set to handle Strathmore and were determined to fight for the win. 

We came into the match confident that we are a big team just like Strathmore and we proved that. However, they matched us on everything. I can say we were over confident and that worked against us," offered GSU skipper Raphael Chege. 

Brian Murangiri proved the thorn on GSU's flesh with Christopher Mayende playing a similar role for the paramilitary side as both scored seven goals to pull either side back to the game each time it seemed to slip away. 

In the end, however, it was Murangiri who celebrated with his varsity side for a victory hard fought in a match that was not short of its fair share of drama. 

In addition to numerous two-minute suspensions for either side that just added to the tension between the two sides, Simon Mutuku finished the match on the sin-bin, having been red-carded for a tackle on Mayende who had to receive medical attention and leave the court for the rest of the match. 

A charged GSU bench including the technical staff, however, seemed to disagree with the red card call arguing that the aggressor was a different player even as the stricken Mutuku walked off and quietly served his punishment, deserved or not, until he could celebrate with his teammates at the end of the match. 

"There was alot of tempers flaring and that could have affected our players. We had prepared for hard tackles and this was expected so the reactions came as no surprise to me. However, we have to regroup and come back for the next battle ready and well aware that we can challenge any team in the league," added Chege. 

In other matches, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) continued their perfect run, seeing off Thika Handball Club 43-23 in match that Robert Maraga top-scored for the millers with seven goals. Thika's Paul Ngige scored six as did NCPB's Brian Wekukha. 

Black Mamba were also on the winning end as they defeated Nairobi County Council (NCC) 44-17. William Malui and Morgan Juma led Mamba's onslaught with ten goals each. 

Buccaneers narrowly escaped Makueni Bees' snare by a whisker in a 34-31 win, having trailed 15-14 at half time. 

In the women's league, holders Nairobi Water picked a massive 55-05 win over New Hope while Amazon defeated NCC women 28-16.