Kenya Lionesses' roar ends in Hong Kong semis
Kenya Lionesses players huddle before their 2018 Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier semi-finals match against South Africa at Hong Kong Stadium on April 6, 2018. PHOTO | WORLD RUGBY |
What you need to know:
- A try from Andiswa Ndawonde in sudden death is what shattered Kenya’s hopes of making the final in a qualifier where the winner gets to play in the 2018/2019 Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series.
Kenya Lionesses’ run at the 2018 Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier ended in the semi-finals when they lost to continental rivals South Africa 12-7 in sudden death at Hong Kong Stadium on Friday.
A try from Andiswa Ndawonde in sudden death is what shattered Kenya’s hopes of making the final in a qualifier where the winner gets to play in the 2018/2019 Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series.
Kenya had earlier in the pool stages stunned South Africa 24-12 for the first time ever to top their pool and advance to the main Cup quarterfinals. The Lionesses matched after stopping Argentina 17-12 for their semi-final rematch with their continental arch rivals.
After a scoreless first half, Zenay Jordaan broke the deadlock when she scored in the 11th minute before converting to give South Africa a 7-0 lead. Kenya battled to level after Janet Okello crossed the line the two minutes later as Doreen Remour converted.
WON SUDDEN DEATH CONTEST
South Africa will now meet China in the final where the winner will earn promotion. China had beaten Belgium 22-5 in the other semi-final.
Remour’s try in sudden death extra time had earlier seen Kenya reach the semi-final with a 17-12 win over Argentina.
The Argentines were a difficult opponent for the Kenyans, hogging possession for large spells of the fixture and were first on the scoreboard after skipper Sofia Gonzalez went over for an unconverted try.
Sinaida Aura scored for Kenya late in the half to restore parity as the teams went into the break tied 5-5.
Okello gave the Lionesses the lead for the first time in this match with a solo try from 65 meters out but Gonzalez scored a converted try to tie things up at full time.
The Lionesses would lose Janet Owino to injury minutes into extra time but were still able to conjure up the killer punch moments after the Argentines had conceded a rare penalty.
Celestine Masinde created the opportunity and found Remour in space to race clear and find the try line, setting up a repeat clash in the semi-final against South Africa.
