Kenya humiliate poor Phillipines

Kenya started their Rugby World Cup Sevens quest in emphatic fashion running seven tries past hapless Philippines in a 45-5 Pool C romp under sultry conditions at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium on Friday.

Group favourites Samoa were made to work hard before prevailing upon a plucky Zimbabwe 21-4.

Winners of the groups will be decided today when the last two pool rounds are held. Kenya face Zimbabwe at 8.22am (Kenyan time) before the potential group decider against Samoa at 2:14pm. It is a high stakes day two with only pool winners guaranteed of qualifying for the Cup quarters on Sunday.

Must clean out weak areas

But even as Kenya recorded their highest World Cup victory, surpassing the 43-7 mauling of Hong Kong in  Dubai 2009, coach Mike Friday was anything but contented with his boys’ first day performance.

“We did not make it easy for ourselves early on. But when we settled we began hitting the gaps and making breaks.

“We need to work on more things in our game. We need to execute our moves. Tomorrow (Saturday) will be tougher,” Friday said.

Knowing the ultimate prize sought Kenya must clean out any weak areas of their game to stand a chance of going all the way.

Too much power

The side had just too much power and pace for debutantes Philippines but were guilty of some fumbles. Star player Willy Ambaka had a rather quiet game with the only highlight a rash tackle in the air that cost the France-bound winger a two-minute spell in the sin bin.

Friday was unhappy with Ambaka’s needless send off and said the players needed to keep their heads.

The Briton will be happy with the near flawless play from Humphrey Kayange who helped himself to two tries that had touches of class and vision. He also had a hand in a couple of others.

“The first game is always tricky. We were made to work hard and it was a good win for us. We have two big games tomorrow (Saturday). We have to be at our best to win them and qualify,” Kayange said.

The speed was there, the eye for the gap and the long, distance-eating strides were there as the biochemistry graduate student at Bristol University showed he had not lost any of the qualities that have built his name in the IRB world series over the years.  

Cheered on by a boisterous band of travelling Kenyan fans the Andrew Amonde-captained team got off to a perfect start, Kayange feeding Oscar Ouma in his own 25 to canter 70 metres for the first try moments into the game.

Hit back with a try

Felix Ayange was in fine form, ghosting through a tackle for Kenya’s second. Philippines hit back with a try from Gareth Holgate moments after Ambaka had been yellow-carded for a 15-5 half time lead.

But in the form Kenya was in it was never going to be a contest as Kayange, Ayange, Collins Injera and Eden Agero kept the try count ticking while Biko Adema and his replacement Lavin Asego complimented the scores with conversion.

“Kenya very strong, very fast. If you make a mistake Kenya will punish you. They are a very quality side. We knew they were favourites to win,” said Philippines coach Al Caravelli.

Kenya line-up. Oscar Ouma, Felix Ayange, Humphrey Kayange, Biko Adema, Andrew Amonde, Collins Injera, Willy Ambaka. Subs used: Horace Otieno, Eden Agero, Lavin Asego