L. MathekaNairobi Water seal title in win over Ulinzi
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 25.03.23. | 18:57
The holders face NCPB in their last match as they chase another unbeaten gong.
Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) women's league champions have sealed yet another title with a match to spare after beating rivals Ulinzi Sharks 25-28 in a highly entertaining match played on Saturday 25 March.
Nairobi Water started slow in the edge-of-the-seat encounter and found themselves trailing 7-5 within the first 20 minutes of the match.
Coach Jack Ochieng had to call for his first timeout to restrategize as the military side was stopping at nothing in their attack of the goal and their defense also seemed solid.
The holders fought on to level the score at seven and again at nine and they capitalized on a a lapse in concentration for the military side to pull away and lead 10-13 at the half-time break.
"We have very tactical coaches and they helped us fight back when Ulinzi were leading. We did not expect them to bring the resistance they did into the game. Our experience also came in handy and team work made the difference.
When we were trailing we changed our defense from 4-2 which focused on cutting on their seconds and moved to 6-0 and that forced them to make errors that helped us equalise and go ahead," assistant captain Melvin Akinyi offered after the match.
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On resumption, Ulinzi pulled one back to cut the deficit to two goals at 11-13 but Ochieng's charges were relentless in their fight and soon the gap back to three at 11-14 and 14-17.
The military side were caught on the fast break twice to trail by four goals at 15-19 and it was becoming increasingly difficult for Emmanuel Kieti's charges to break the opposition's defense.
With 15 minutes to play and Water leading 19-22, Ulinzi fought to come to within two goals at 21-23 and 22-24. Sarah Wasike stepped on the 7-metre line and her conversion made it 23-24 much to the celebration of the Ulinzi fans.
Wasike was again in front of goal from the line few seconds later after Euphrasia Mukasia was fouled to bring Ulinzi level at 24 and it was game on!
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The military side lost a chance to go top from the line with Wasike's effort stopped and that gave Water the chance to convert from the turnover through Brenda Ariviza for 24-25.
Merina Andala scored again to give Water a two-goal advantage with four minutes to play forcing the soldiers into a timeout to restrategise.
They, however, caused another unforced turnover without any attempt with a bad pass and they were immediately punished for 24-27.
Ulinzi scored for 25-27 but costly mistakes saw them lose their opportunity to comeback for a long awaited victory against Water as they lost 25-28.
"When the score was leveled the coaches immediately called for a timeout and tye strategy from then on was to remain composed and stick to our game and that helped us to play for this win," Akinyi added.
Faith Mikhala led the scoring with six goals for Water with Brenda Musambai adding five. Wasike scored 14 for the military side.
In other matches, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Ladies had an easy win against Daystar Falcons in a 35-16 outcome.
Sarah Mabonga and Elizabeth Atieno led the scoring with eight and six goals for the millers for the win as Meldone Akoth made five for the students.
Kenyatta University (K.U) on their part had an easy victory dispensing Thika-based Amazon 37-25 despite carrying a thin squad to the match.
Claire Wanyonyi made double digits in goals at 14 with Barbra Abunde coming one goal shy of ten goals in the win.
