Battling Kenya fall to Samoa

• Ocholla’s charges top their pool but bow out of Main Cup in quarter-finals

Las Vegas

Kenya fell to Samoa 19-14 in the quarter-finals of the IRB World Series in Las Vegas on Sunday. Alafoti Faosiliva scored a hat trick as Samoa claimed victory enter the main Cup semi-finals.

The much-improved Kenya entered the Cup quarters as pool winners after a 7-7 draw with England in the final Pool D match on Saturday night. Tom Mitchell had canceled out Lavin Asego’s try, but the draw was enough for the African side to finish top.

England booked their place in the Cup quarters with a dramatic 12-7 victory against the Auld Enemy Scotland. Having scored their first try Dan Norton was then sent off, but a Christian Lewis-Pratt try with seconds remaining ensured Ben Ryan’s side maintained their 100 percent record on day one.

Scored hat-trick

Currently third in the Series they opened up with a 29-5 victory against Brazil thanks to a Norton hat-trick. Brazil were making their first outing on the world stage since 2002 and are building towards the hosting of Sevens Rugby’s first Olympic event, in Rio in 2016.

Collins Injera also scored a hat-trick against Brazil as Kenya recorded a 38-0 victory against Martin Schusterman’s side adding to an earlier 17-14 victory against Scotland to also progress to set up a pool decider with England on day two. Two Humphrey Kayange tries and Injera’s first of the day helped the African side come from 7-0 down to beat Graham Shiel’s side in the opening Pool D match of day one.

The Kenyans, with brothers Kayange and Injera back in harness, are showing something near their best form and picking up where they left off in Wellington. For the Scots, captain Colin Gregor is the only player on show to have started 26 matches - all of his team’s games - this season and he scored in their 33-5 victory against Brazil. Both teams will play their Bowl quarter final matches later on day two.

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