Nelson Oyoo stars as Kenya 7s edge Canada in Hong Kong
What you need to know:
- It was Injera’s 251st try at the World Rugby Sevens Series as Ambaka clocked a century with Oyoo managing his 37th try.
Nelson Oyoo played a starring role as Kenya launched their Hong Kong Sevens campaign with a 33-10 thrashing of Canada at the Hong Kong Stadium on Friday.
Kenya, who touched down five tries in the match, play giant slayers Spain in their second Pool “B” match on Saturday at 8.10am on Saturday before wrapping up against Australia at 12.10pm the same day.
It’s Oyoo’s last try of the match that elicited cheers and excitement at the arena to supplement Samuel Oliech, Andrew Amonde, Collins Injera and William Ambaka’s efforts. Oyoo provided two assists in the match - to Amonde and Ambaka's tries.
It was Injera’s 251st try at the World Rugby Sevens Series as Ambaka clocked a century with Oyoo managing his 37th try.
Oyoo was from serving his punishment after being sin-binned after a deliberate knock-on to score Kenya’s last try against the Singapore Sevens champions.
Kenya started on a back foot as the dominant Canadians drew first blood through Connor Braid’s to lead 5-0.
However, Kenya struck back immediately when Oliech stole the loose ball from restart before pacing up to score at the far end and level 5-5, having missed the conversion.
Injera made a quick tap off a penalty before putting Oyoo through to find Amonde from a tackle in the middle. Amonde scored besides the post before Oliech converted to give Kenya a 12-5 lead at the break.
Canada were quick with a lineout ball to score through Pat Kay as Oyoo was sin-binned for the deliberate knock-on that went for touch. Despite playing with one man less, Kenya showed resilience with Billy “The Kid” Odhiambo found releasing Injera in the middle from a tackle.
AGERO CONVERTED
Injera then found his way through after a brilliant dummy to score his 251st try. Eden Agero converted to stretch their lead to 19-10.
Oyoo returned to the match in style, blasting through two tackles at the centre before laying on Ambaka, who accelerated over to land his 100th try.
Ambaka’s teammates rushed over to hug and congratulate him for his century feat, as Agero added the extras for a 26-10 lead.
The flamboyant Oyoo would make up for his earlier yellow card when he sliced through the Canadian defence to finish Kenya’s assault with a brilliant try.
Spain had earlier on stunned Australia Sevens champions Australia 17-12.
