History made as Kenya 7s beat Fiji for first Main Cup win

Kenya Sevens team put up an astonishing performance to sink Series and Singapore defending champions Fiji 30-7 to win their first ever Main Cup, after four finals appearances and 114 tournaments.

Kenya got off to a bright start, pressing their opponents hard in their own 22 for almost the entire first half making clear their intent of opening the scoring.

Their efforts paid off in the first minute as Fiji fumbled the ball into the hands of the Shujaa. Oscar Ayodi picked up a pass and raced towards the corner to make the try, which Collins Injera failed to covert.

Injera edged closer to breaking Argentine Santiago Cora’s all-time record of 230 tries to within just five, making two successive tries in the fourth and eighth minutes with the resultant conversion going off the mark.

Kenya continued keeping Fiji on the back foot with their particularly organised defense holding on to carry a 20-0 lead at the break.

Fiji finally found a way past the red and white Shujaa wall in a brilliant fashion in the second half, with Vatemo Ravouvou running at Nelson Oyoo and passing to Jerry Tuwai after a successful dummy. As Ravouvou converted, the 20-7 score-line suddenly suggested rugby world was braced for a dramatic finish to the proceedings.

Dakuwawa’s dancing feet created something out of nothing for Fiji but a handling error in the face of fierce defence prevented them from getting more points on the board.

Nelson Oyoo embarked on a sensational run from deep inside the Kenyan half, wheeling past two hapless Fiji players as the Top Fry Nakuru RFC winger sped past to make it 25-7, blowing away any last hopes of a Fiji comeback.

Kenya continued to struggle with the conversions, with man-of-the-match Injera missing another resultant conversion in the penultimate match.

Frank Wanyama sealed the historic victory with Shujaa’s sixth try to put the score at 30-7 sparking celebrations at the touchline and giving Kenya its maiden World Rugby Sevens Series Main Cup.