Stuttering Kenya 7s collapse against Friday's USA
Kenya’s Humphrey Kayange (centre) plays against Fiji at the Glasgow Sevens, round eight of the Sevens World Series in the past. Kenya Sevens take on Scotland on Saturday hoping to put behind a lacklustre season and sign off in style in the last leg of the World Sevens Series in London. PHOTO | IRB
What you need to know:
- Kenya led 14-0 at the break
- USA fought back to win 21-14
- Kenya Sevens have lost twice to England and Wales this season.
Kenya Sevens blew up a 14-0 lead at the break to lose to Mike Friday’s United States of America 14-21 in their opening match of the Hong Kong Sevens on Friday.
It was a tale of two halves after Kenya dominated in the first half, as Collins Injera lapped up an open American defence to burst clear upon kick-off for the try that Lavin Asego converted.
Felix Ochieng's charges starved the Americans' possession to enjoy a 19-0 passes completion with good display at the breakdowns and defence. And just to prove their dominance, Kenya finished a nine-phase try through skipper Andrew Amonde, who tore through inside the 22-metre line.
Asego’s 100 per cent display with his boot took him past 1,000 career points on the World Series circuit. Asego is the first player to do so from Kenya and only the 10th player of all time to achieve the feat.
It was also a milestone for Injera, who scored his 191st career try of the series.
However, great character from the USA saw Maka Unufe easily weave through from the second half kick-off to score. Speedster Carlin Isles also cashed on awful tackling from the Kenyans to go clear inside his own half for his 50th career try to level matters.
CAUGHT FLAT-FOOTED
Danny Barrett caught the Kenyans' defence flat-footed as he ran in on the right to score. Kenya’s last-gasp effort to draw matter levels was thwarted by a penalty call from the referee while inside USA’s 22-metre line.
Kenya have a battle at hand as they must win their two Pool D remaining matches on Saturday so as to make it to the Cup quarter-final. They take on England and Wales at 6.12am and 10.14am, respectively.
Kenya Sevens have lost twice to England and Wales this season. They went down to England 0-38 and 12-21 at the pool stage in Dubai and USA, respectively. They lost to Wales 19-24 in Gold Coast and 5-29 in South Africa.
