Kenya Face Hosts Scotland in Bowl Quarters

Kenya will face hosts Scotland in the Bowl quarter finals when the Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens enters the final day.

Kenya lost all her opening matches to drop to the Bowl. In perhaps one of their best matches this season, Kenya were only a few seconds from beating Australia when a last-minute heartbreak try by Lewis Holland saw the Australians win 29-26.

Dead and seemingly buried at half time when they trailed 5-21, Kenya roared back in the second half to score 21 unanswered points and went ahead 26-21 in the second half. With only a few seconds on the clock, Holland broke through to score.

Lavin Asego scored the only try in the first half but on resumption, Kenya was in control with Felix Ayange scoring after only 12 seconds. Asego converted as Australia led 21-12.

Mike Wanjala was introduced early in the second half and in the third minute, Horace Otieno went over in the third minute and Asego converted to narrow the scored 21-19 still in Australia’s favor.

Kenya took the lead in the sixth minute when Willy Ambaka’s powerful run saw him score under the sticks. Asego converted for Kenya to lead 26-21. On the re-start, a missed tackle saw Australia retain possession and Holland broke through to score.

This was a much better performance by Kenya who had been overran 40-7 by England in their first match. Tom Mitchell scored a try after only 36 seconds and converted to set England in motion. mat Turner was next over in the third minute and Mitchell Missed the conversion stretching England’s lead to 12-0.

Turner went over for his second in the fourth minute and Mitchell converted to see England lead 19-0. Just before the end of this half, James Rodwell scored after Mitchell was tackled near the line by Horace Otieno.

He converted for a 26-0 lead at half time. In the second half, Willy Ambaka scored a try after only one minute and Asego converted. England led 26-7.

They upped the pace and scored two more tries through Tom Mitchell and John Brake. Mitchell kicked over one conversion. This was a match that Kenya lost rather than England won.

Kenya made only heartless tackles and were outmuscled in the rucks. Leon Adongo and Ambaka were outstanding. Sidney Ashioya made two daring runs but lacked support. In the last match against USA, basic errors like in the first game against England accounted for Kenya’s loss.

Mike Palefau scored for the USA after only 26 seconds and Falau Niua converted. Andrew Durutalo was next over. Niua missed the conversion as the USA led 12-0. At the end of this half, Felix Ayange barged over for his second try in Glasgow and Lavin Asego converted to narrow the gap 7-12 for the USA.

Substitute Nu’u Punimata scored a try deep into added on time as the USA comfortably led 17-7 at the break. They continued from where they left off in the first half when Rocco Mauer scored a try and Niua converted to stretch the lead 24-7.

It was going to be an uphill task for Kenya especially after Mauer completed his brace in the third minute of this half. Shalom Suniula missed the conversion but the USA had a commanding 29-7 lead.

When Tai Enosa was sent to the sin-bin in the seventh minute, Sidney Ashioya used the numerical advantage to race over for a consolation try which Asego converted.

Sunday, order of play

Bowl quarter finals: USA v Russia, Portugal v France, Scotland v Kenya, Spain v Zimbabwe. main cup quarter finals: England v South Africa, Fiji v Samoa, Wales v Australia, New Zealand v Argentina.

Day one pool results Pool A: Australia 29 USA 14, England 40 Kenya 7, Australia 28 Kenya 26, England 19 USA 12, USA 29 Kenya 14, Australia 14 England 19. Pool B: Samoa 22 France 14, New Zealand 31 Spain 5, Samoa 24 Spain 17, New Zealand 66 France 0, France 7 Spain 19, Samoa 21 New Zealand 22. Pool C: Argentina 17 Portugal 5, Fiji 40 Zimbabwe 0, Argentina 19 Zimbabwe 14, Fiji 28 Portugal 5, Portugal 24 Zimbabwe 14, Argentina 7 Fiji 47. Pool D: Wales 17 Scotland 14, South Africa 17 Russia 14, South Africa 19 Scotland 14, Wales 31 Russia 5, Scotland 33 Russia 5, Wales 17 South Africa 5.

Eric Odanga

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