Kenyan teams posted mixed results as the Brookside East Africa Secondary school games entered day four in Mbarara, Uganda.

Esther Kakuri and Eliud Tarus won gold medals in 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres races as athletics got underway at Kakyeka Stadium.

Kakuri handed Kenya her first athletics gold when she ran in 17 minutes, 15.4 seconds to win the girls' 5,000m race.

Joyceline Koima (17:15.8) was second, with Rwanda's Muraka Tete (17:31.2) winning bronze.

Schools' national champion Tarus timed 29 minutes,14.4 seconds to win the 10,000m race ahead of Rwanda's Irabarua Olivier (29:54.8). Ernest Ngeno settled for bronze in 30:03.1.

In rugby, Kakamega High and Mang'u both qualified for Thursday's semi-finals after beating Uganda's St Mary's Kisubi 5-0 and Namilyango 10-06 respectively.

Kangaru School lost 39-0 to Hana from Uganda.

In boys' volleyball, Cheptil were stretched to the limit by Rwanda's St Joseph at Kakyeka Stadium before the Kenyans won 3-2 in the tie-break.

The two giants slugged it out set-by-set until Cornelius Kirwa rose high on the right to beat the Rwandese block for victory despite trailing in the first two sets.

Cheptil closer to semis

With the 28-26, 29-27, 25-15, 25-15 and 15-10 sets victory, the schools' national champions inched closer to qualifying for the semi-finals after two wins and one loss.

Cheptil made the perfect start with an ace from Sila Kipruto through a looping delivery that caught the Rwandese defence napping.

As the first set progressed, St Joseph's Fred Musoni replied with a double ace which landed on a weak Cheptil reception, leading to Joel Uwitonze's crunching finish at the net.

The Rwandese looked quicker and hungrier for points, with both Uwitonze and Barrack Rucura lifting the side to lead 18-15.

Cheptil then forced a 20-20 tie but relinquished a 24-21 lead, then came level 26-26 before a powerful spike from Rucura handed Rwanda the first set.

Set winner

Cheptil needed to lift their game in the second set to stop their opponents, who were leading 3-1, from taking complete control.

St Joseph School called for a time-out and on resumption, Uwitonze smashed a mighty winner at the net for 8-7 lead as Rwanda went on to win the set 29-27.

Cheptil coach Nicholas Busienei and his boys restrategised and raced to a 9-2 lead in the third set. Both teams drew strong support in a match where Cheptil captain Kirwa enjoyed mixed fortunes.

Kipruto, Kirwa and Julius Sang punished their Rwandese opponents, forcing them to work extra hard.

In girls' hockey, regional champions Kerugoya and national winners Kapkolei settled to a 1-1 draw, while New Jogoo Road registered their second win after beating Wau of Southern Sudan 16-10 in girls' handball.