Kenya labour in vain in London

Kenya’s Billy Odhiambo (centre) charges forward during their London Sevens Pool C match at Twickenham on May 16, 2015. England won 40-0. PHOTO | IRB |

What you need to know:

  • England on course to secure 2016 Olympic Games slot
  • The team later gained little consolation coming from behind to beat minnows Brazil 19-14.

An awful Kenya Sevens crashed to Scotland and England 12-26 and 0-40 respectively to dash their hopes of reaching the main Cup quarter-finals at the London Sevens on Saturday.

The team later gained little consolation coming from behind to beat minnows Brazil 19-14.

After soaking six tries against England, Kenya were easily dispatched to the Bowl category by the Scots, who landed four tries. That effectively end their hopes of reaching their second main Cup quarter-finals this season after Wellington Sevens.

Scotland easily shoved Kenya off their rucks with Damian Hoyland turning over to score. Humphrey Kayange would claim the restart to set up Dennis Ombachi, who evaded a tackle before handing off James Johnstone to score to roars from the crowd.

Collins Injera failed to convert as Kenya trailed 5-7. Kenya failed to handle the restart well as Mark Robertson collected the ball before bursting through an awful defense to score for a 12-7 lead at the break.

Kenya start the second half with an all attack game, putting their pace to great use. They got a penalty and after the first breakdown Billy Odhiambo sprinted down the right flank to score and Injera’s conversion levelled the proceedings.

The Scots responded putting Kenya on the back foot with tries from Hugh Blake and Jamie Farndale sending them in the main Cup. Scotland had earlier survived a scare from Brazil to win 19-14.

The hapless Felix Ochieng-coached side took in three converted tries to trail 0-21 in the opening half of their match against England.

England drew Kenyan into ruck situation before easily dispossessing them to score.  

Dan Bibby opened the scoring when he sliced through skipper Andrew Amonde and Dennis Ombachi before evading Michael Wanjala’s tackle to ground the ball. 

James Rodwell would double the score after cashing in on Billy Odhiambo’s knock-on before Macus Watson punished Kayange for poor handing at the restart to score and lead  21-0 at half time.

The introduction of Oscar Ayodi, Tony Opondo, Daniel Sikuta, Augustine Lugonzo and Bush Mwale failed to spur anything after the break.

Watson added his second try after Ombachi missed the tackle before Alex Gray and Tom Bowen completed the rout.

England, who qualified for Cup quarters in emphatic fashion, look well on course to bag the fourth and final Olympic Games slot. Fiji, South African and New Zealand have already qualified.