Nairobi Simba and United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) claimed vital victories on Sunday at City Park Stadium, Nairobi, to improve in their men’s hockey Premier League standings.

Harvir Gataure smashed in a deflection in the 41st minute to spur the 2012 champions Nairobi Simba to a 1-0 victory against three-time champions Strathmore University, while USIU-A needed Lawrence Makhatsa’s 25th minute goal to stun Wazalendo 1-0.

USIU-A and Simba’s victories saw them improve by one place in the standings to fifth and sixth places with 17 and 16 points respectively.

USIU-A now have five wins, two draws and six losses, while Simba have now succeeded in five outings, but have drawn once and also lost six times.

Strathmore slumped two places to seventh with 16 points, having won five matches and lost a similar number of matches.

Wazalendo might have lost for the fifth time this season, but stayed third in the 12 teams log with 19 points, having won six matches and drawn once.

Defending champion Kenya Police and Butali Sugar Warriors, the 2016 champions, could be sharing the top spot spot with 27 points each, but Butali are top courtesy of a superior goal difference.

The two teams, who are on nine wins and a loss each, have a match each to complete their first leg matches. Butali are up against Greensharks, with Police facing Nakuru in their next round of matches.

Gataure, Francis Esikuri, Allan Iningu and Davis Wanangwe had a share of missed opportunities that could have put Simba in front in the first and second quarters.

On the other hand, Alpha Wambusi and Derrick Musuya also blew up golden chances that could have seen them make the difference for the university lads.

However, the only moment of the match came in the third quarter when Wanangwe sliced through the midfield for a smashing shot that was deflected, before Gataure wasted no time to place it home.

Strathmore’s skipper Paul Omariba failed to utilise a penalty corner in the last quarter, what with Simba’s coach-cum-player, the legendary Inderjit Matharu, also failing to convert a penalty corner.

“We are now trying to play catch up after losing many points in the first leg. We should have been in top four now, but we encountered many setbacks including injuries,” said Matharu, adding that they hope to continue to refine and sharpen their attack that has been blunt.

Strathmore coach Meshak Senge rued the absence of his key striker Festus Onyango, who is out with an injury. “His absence clearly manifested in our attack that lacked the oomph,” said Senge.

“We baldy needed the three points but we live to fight another day.”