MACHAKOS, July 27- Top dogs St. Anthony’s, Waa, Olympic and St. John’s got their boys’ and girls’ Airtel Rising Stars title bids off the ground in positive fashion as the national finals kicked off Tuesday in Machakos.
The most resounding result of the day however, belonged to Laiser Hill who hammered Simotwo 4-0 in Pool B of the boys’ competition to underline their credentials as the Kenyatta Stadium played host to riveting action all round.
Waa from Coast launched their title chase with a 2-1 victory over Aberdare regional champions Passenga in the other Pool B fixture with John Avire and Victor Mwangi on target for the winners as Rashid Kigwe replied for their opponents.
Metropolitan (Nairobi)’s Laiser stole the show when they raced to a 2-0 half-time lead with Kennedy Owino and Flavious Chalma finding the next before an own goal from Simotwo’s Derek Kiptoo and the brace from Chalma rounded the rout.
In Pool A, former national champions St. Anthony’s Kitale who edged out reigning champions, Kakamega High School Commandoes 1-0 in a regional final replay showed no rust when they thumped Kathungi 4-2.
Kisumu Day broke no sweat in dispatching Garissa 3-1 in the other clash in the group.
A hat-trick apiece from Sharon Adhiambo and Quinter Atieno and further goals from Faith Kwamboka and Faith Atieno led rampant Olympics to complete an 8-0 thrashing of hapless Kiringara from Abedares in a lopsided Pool A contest.
St. John’s Kaloleni were too strong for Wiyeta, winning 3-1 where Jereko Adams opened the scoring for before Musimbi Judy equalised. Further strikes from Diana Akinyi and Adams’ double sealed the result.