Nairobi's Hidden Talent lift inaugural Rugby 15s girl's title.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term One Games produced a new champion in the Rugby 15s category as Hidden Talent Academy from Nairobi emerged victorious in the 2023 finals. They dominated the second half to overpower St. Joseph's Kitale 22-0 at a thrilling match held at Machakos Showground.

Hidden Talent's triumph wasn't without its challenges. After a scoreless first half, they displayed a brilliant performance in the second to edge out the Rift Valley heavyweights. Their road to the title began with a close 7-03 victory over Madira Girls High School.

Meanwhile, the boys' Rugby 15s witnessed familiar names battling it out. Former Champions Mang'u High School secured their place in the semi-finals with a convincing 20-8 win over Kitondo in their second match. They had earlier defeated Marafa 17-3 in their opening game, showcasing their dominance in the Central Region.

Coach Dennis Munene expressed his pride in his boys' performance, vowing to reclaim their title.

"The game was tough, but we managed to get all the points," he said. "The opponents played well, but we dominated. I'm confident we'll bag the title."

Last year's runners-up, All Saints, also secured a semi-final berth after a nail-biting 6-3 victory against Kisii School. Second-half penalty kicks proved decisive for All Saints, who struggled to penetrate Kisii's resolute defence in the first half.

Kisii School will rue a missed opportunity after a player slipped with the ball outside the field, failing to convert a brilliant try.

The hosts now set their sights on Butula in a crucial match on Wednesday to determine the winner of Pool A. Coach Benson Mwenda, mindful of last year's final upset, sent a clear message to his rivals: "We will play our game to make sure we win against Butula."

Defending champions Butula bounced back from a frustrating 0-0 draw in their opening match against Kisii with a convincing 67-3 win over St. Patrick's Iten. Coach Shimenga Livondo praised his team's response and their determination to top the group with a win against the hosts.

The action wasn't limited to rugby. Hockey also saw some exciting matchups, with St. Anthony Boys Kitale booking their semi-final berth. They edged past defending champions Musingu Boys in their opening match and followed it up with a 2-0 win over Murang'a. Coach Kelvin Lugalia commended his team's performance in holding off Musingu.

Musingu, despite the early upset, bounced back with a 6-0 win against Katangi. They will now set their sights on securing a semi-final spot with a win against Murang'a on Wednesday.

The games also witnessed draws in other matches, including Nairobi School vs. St. Charles Lwanga (1-1) and Meru School vs. Ringa Boys (1-1).

In the girls' competition, defending champions Nyamira Girls continued their dominance with a 1-0 victory against Tigoi. This mirrored their performance in last year's thrilling final where they secured the title after 32 years. Tigoi now faces an uphill battle to redeem themselves, needing a win against Pangani in their final match.

The games produced another surprise as St. Joseph Kibwezi stunned Mpesa Academy 2-0, while St. Joseph's Kitale forced a 1-1 draw against St. Charles Lwanga.