Woeful Kenya lose to drop to Bowl in Hong Kong
Kenya’s Daniel Sikuta beats Argentina’s Gaston Revol at the USA Sevens on February 15. PHOTO | ETHAN MILLER |
What you need to know:
- Kenya lost 7-17 to England and 12-18 to Wales a day after also losing to United States of America 14-21.
- Neil Powell’s side will face Australia in the quarter-finals while Fiji await England.
Kenya Sevens are not out of the woods yet as they wasted great opportunities, losing to England and Wales to drop to Bowl competition at the Hong Kong Sevens on Saturday.
They lost 7-17 to England and 12-18 to Wales a day after also losing to United States of America 14-21. Kenya now takes on Canada in the Bowl quarter-finals Sunday morning.
Luke Morgan got Wales to a flying start, running with a sizzling run down the right flank to score but Kenya respond with an angled, powerful run by Daniel Sikuta as Lavin Asego converted for a 7-5 lead at the break.
Billy ‘The Kid’ Odhiambo continued to exhibit his speedwork when he touched down a try from close range after good ground work by Kenya’s midfield but Asego failed to convert for a 12-5 lead.
Wales were undaunted as Morgan changed pace before letting in Rhodri Williams, who has scored in each game for parity. Morgan would then prove his mettle with a jump stop before bursting to the line to score the winner for Wales.
England powered to a 10-0 lead at half time through tries from Tom Bowen and James Rodwell. Collins Injera touched down his 192nd try of the Series to reduce the margin to three just after the break. But Phil Burgess crossed for the match winner.
ENGLAND, USA ADVANCE
England and USA who beat both Kenya and Wales made it to the main Cup quarterfinal despite battling to a 21-21 draw in the last pool match. USA and England beat Wales 40-12 and 29-16 respectively.
Series leaders South Africa and Fiji were the only sides to maintain 100 per cent record during pool play as they booked their places in the Cup quarter finals.
Having never won the Hong Kong title, the Blitzboks produced a confident day two performance with Seabelo Senatla picking up a hat-trick as they defeated France 29-7 after earlier accounting for Japan 27-0 in front of 39,098 fans at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Neil Powell’s side will face Australia in the quarter-finals while Fiji await England.
