Kenya 7s looks to wrap up season on a high note

Kenya hopes for a better performance in England when this season’s International Rugby Board HSBC Sevens Series ends at Twickenham.

The East Africans have been drawn in a tough Pool A which has New Zealand who won the Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens by beating England in the final.

In an interview by the IRB after beating USA 22-14 in the Shield final, Sidney Ashioya the team captain acknowledged there were injuries which could prompt the technical bench to ring some changes.

“We have a few injuries which need to be assessed,” he said. Ashioya did not say which players were injured or whether there could be new call ups to the team.

He briefly talked about Kenya’s performance in Scotland saying the team had improved but much needed to be done by way of execution of the game plans.

Against USA, Kenya rallied from a second minute try by Mike Palefau which Falau Niua converted to win. William Ambaka who is emerging as a solid and fast player levelled for Kenya after Biko Adema muscled his way through the USA defence.

Felix Ayange was next over when Horace Otieno brushed through two tackles and held on for Ayange who was in close support.

Just before the end of this half, patrice Agunda denied the USA cross covering and tackling one of the players short of the line. In the second half, Biko Adema scored after the ball changed hands between Otieno and Ambaka. Asego missed the conversion as Kenya led 17-7.

Rocco Mauer narrowed the gap for the USA in the seventh minute and Shalom Suniula converted. With 20 seconds remaining, Kenya retained possession the the midfield and with the hooter gone, Ambaka barged crashed past the USA defence and there was Adema in close support to score. In the semi-final, Kenya beat Zimbabwe 24-7.

Ashoya, Ayange, Otieno and Ambaka scored one try each with Asego adding two conversions. Daniel Hondo scored a try for Zimbabwe which Tengai Nemadire converted.

Kenya dropped to the Shield, the lowest tier of competition after they lost 12-19 to hosts Scotland. Andrew Turnbull scored a hattrick and Colin Gregor kicked over two conversions. Ashioya and Agevi scored one try each while Asego slotted one conversion.

New Zealand beat England 28-19 in the main cup final while Fiji defeated Australia 31-17 in the play-off. Samoa took the Plate with a 31-12 win over Wales while Russia beat Spain 33-19 to win the Bowl.

The teams leave on Monday for England to play at the Marriott London Sevens on Saturday and Sunday.

Day two results Cup quarter finals: England 14 South Africa 14, Fiji 34 Samoa 10, Wales 7 Australia 17, New Zealand 36 Argentina 5; Semi-final: England 26 Fiji 21, Australia 7 New Zealand 22; Final: England 28 New Zealand 19. Play-off: Fiji 31 Australia 17 Plate semi-final: South Africa 0 Samoa 47, Argentina 5 Wales 12; Final: Samoa 31 Wales 12. Bowl quarter finals: USA 21 Russia 22, Portugal 5 France 7, Scotland 19 Kenya 12, Spain 14 Zimbabwe 7; semi-final: Russia 12 France 10, Scotland 7 Spain 10; Final: Russia 33 Spain 19. Shield semi-finals: USA 17 Portugal 14, Kenya 24 Zimbabwe 7; Final: USA 14 Kenya 22. 

Eric Odanga

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