Kenya Sevens Dubai trip ends in misery

Kenya on Saturday firmed up her inconsistent displays on day two of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai, by posting a single win and two losses, including a 12-19 upset by Canada in the Shield final.

Meanwhile, South Africa beat Australia 33-7 to win the Main Cup final, while Samoa beat France 31-21 to bag the Bowl title.

In what was a repeat of the Shield finale at the Gold Coast last October, Paul Treu’s team made the best possible start, against the North Americans, taking the lead through tries from captain Andrew Amonde and Leonard Mugaisi, but then, the new look Shujaa collapsed albeit typically in the later stages of this contest.

A combination of wayward passes and half-hearted tackles from the home team allowed Justin Doughlas to touch down twice and then convert a similar number of times, whilst Mike Fuailefau weighed in with another try to seal this result.

SINGLE WIN

Kenya earned the right to play in the Shield final by posting its only win of the tournament, a 22-7 triumph against Brazil in the semis of the same category.

Amonde, Mugaisi and Oscar Ayodi masterminded the success by each crossing the line to secure the much needed tries. 

The home team’s wastefulness was also highlighted as the side managed to convert only one of the four tries awarded in this game through Samson Onsomu.

Earlier an all too familiar powerful approach aided by a hard pressing game from Samoa accounted for a 45-0 thrashing over Kenya in the quarters of the Bowl competition.

In this match, a converted try by captain Lolo Lui in the opening minute of the contest was followed up by another try from Tom Losefo two minutes later, before Oscar Ayodi hit back with Kenya’s only try of the game for a 12-5 half-time score.

Tia Mealoi twice breached Kenya’s defence in the second stanza, whilst Siaosi Asofolau also crossed the line twice as Viliamu Punivalu’s charges secured a comfortable win.

These results, added to the three consecutive losses to Australia, England and USA in the Main Cup group games on the opening day of this competition, rates this as the worst ever performance by Kenya at any leg of this competition, a statistic that is certain to firm up pressure on the team’s technical bench.