By KPC Sports Reporter
Defending champions Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) edged neighbours Maseno University 12-10 in a pulsating women’s rugby sevens clash at the ongoing Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) play-offs at the Kabarak University Grounds in Nakuru County.
Mary Nasimiyu emerged the hero as MMUST staged a dramatic late comeback to stun Maseno in a tightly contested encounter.
Trailing 10-5 at the hooter, Nasimiyu received a pass from Christine Loyce near the 10-metre line and sprinted between the posts to level the scores at 10-10.
Loyce calmly converted to seal a memorable victory for the title holders.
MMUST had drawn first blood through Judy Atieno’s unconverted try for a 5-0 lead.
Maseno responded before halftime, with Esther Munyangi crossing over to tie the scores.
On resumption, Susan Njeri put Maseno ahead with another unconverted try to make it 10-5, setting up a tense finale before Nasimiyu’s decisive intervention handed MMUST the win.
Men’s Rugby
Hosts Kabarak University made full use of home advantage, thrashing Kabianga University 19-0 in their opening match of day two.
Wilson Tonya starred with a brace of tries, while Adrian Kotut added another.
Tonya opened the scoring, with Emmanuel Waswa converting for a 7-0 lead.
Kotut extended the advantage with an unconverted try before Tonya completed his double, Waswa adding the extras to wrap up the 19-0 victory.
Former champions Maseno University were equally ruthless, hammering Lukenya University 43-0 in a one-sided encounter.
James Gathu converted Elvis Korir’s opening try before Arnold Otieno added another.
Lewis Ogado, Weser Brandly and Erick Otieno all crossed the whitewash, with Gathu successful in multiple conversions.
Felix Wanogoya also got on the scoresheet, while Korir returned to seal the emphatic triumph.
Elsewhere, Chuka University narrowly defeated Masai Mara University 12-7 in a closely fought contest.
Basketball 3×3
A new men’s 3×3 basketball champion will be crowned after defending champions Kenyatta University were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Newcomers Murang’a University of Technology stunned the holders 17-9 to book a semifinal slot.
Daystar University beat Strathmore University 18-14, Mount Kenya University edged University of Nairobi 17-16, while Embu knocked out the University of Eldoret 18-13.
In the women’s category, Strathmore will face University of Nairobi in the semifinals, as USIU take on Kisii University.
The Kabarak extravaganza features 15 indoor disciplines — including badminton, table tennis, darts, scrabble, taekwondo, karate and chess — alongside five outdoor sports: woodball, baseball, rugby sevens, rollball and 3×3 basketball.