Jaguars, Sliders win as Blazers draw with USIU-A Spartans

Reigning Kenya Hockey Union Men’s Premier League champions Western Jaguars showed no mercy to first-timers Daikyo Heroes, thrashing them 6-1 in a lopsided match played on Saturday at Dashmesh Stadium.

It was a tough day in the office for Premier League debutants, as Twinkle Hockey Club who were also promoted this season, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Sliders Hockey Club in the women’s title chase.

But it was a reprieve for United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans, who salvaged a point from their 1-1 draw with women’s defending champions Blazers Hockey Club.

Jaguars made true their intentions to leave the city with maximum points from the onset, playing more offensively and forcing Daikyo to play in their own half. Sheldon Kimtai converted a penalty corner in the 12th minute to give his side a 1-0 advantage at the first quarter break. Daikyo would reorganise their defence even as goalkeeper Peter Apwacho survived numerous attacks.

However, Alex Taiswa would come calling with two quick goals in the 25th and 26th minutes to bag a brace, with Charles Ashiundu making it 4-0 two minutes later. Daikyo’s Calvins Omondi pulled one back seconds to the breather. Jaguars remained dominant in the second half, with Derrick Juma and Ivan Ludiali scoring in the 44th and 48th minutes to seal the huge victory.

At USIU-A ground, Sliders crashed Twinkle’s hopes of registering their first top-tier win.

Twinkle seemed to be equal to the task, defending well in the first half. Even so, the newbies were outsmarted by the more experienced Sliders side as Daisy Okuku broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.

Veterans Charity Miller and Anita Agunda would score in the early minutes of the second half to make it 3-0. Twinkle fought on even as they pressed forward in a bid to score, but Sliders were too good for them.

Eleanor Chebet netted a 45th-minute equaliser for holders Blazers to help them maintain an unbeaten run. Blazers had trailed Spartans for the better part of the game after Lynn Mwangi had put the students in the lead 13 minutes into play.