Shujaa keep survival hopes alive at London 7s

Kenya 7s kept their survival hopes alive at the HSBC World Sevens Series when they beat Samoa 21-20 on Saturday at London 7s at Twickenham Stadium.

First half was a half of two halves as Samoa jumped out in front through Melani Matavao and Tomasi Alosio but Kenya roared back courtesy of Vincent Onyala’s double. Johnstone Olindi’s two conversions were the difference at the break.

Leilua Laaloi restored Samoa’s lead to 15-14 before Onyala completed his hattrick to take Kenya 7s 21-15 up.

There was still time for Samoa, though, and Alamanda Motuga touched down to give them a chance to win it with the conversion but Laaloi Leilua missed from a great position!

Their last pool match will be against France at 6.26pm with Samoa taking on Fiji at 6.48pm. That’s a must win game for Kenya if they are to reach Cup quarters and stay afloat.

Kenya’s first match was a 24-17 defeat to Fiji with Bush Mwale dotting down twice.
Right from kick-off, Aminiasi Tuimaba wasted no time getting Fiji on the board but if they thought this developing Kenya side were going to give them an easy ride then they were very much mistaken.

Bush Mwale strained every muscle to touch down and the underdogs continued to impress. Meli Derenalagi stroke again for Fiji but it was right back at Mwale!

Aminiasi Tuimaba got the Fijian noses back in front – only Carlin Isles has more tries on the 2019 series than him now – but Jeff Oluoch brought things all square again.

The key moment came when Brian Wandera went to the bin with two minutes remaining and Fiji were ruthless. Paula Dranisinukula quickly crossed the chalk and Fiji squeezed home.

Other matches played at London 7s on Saturday saw Australia beat Wales 28-10, USA defeat Spain 29-5, Samoa lose 14-22 to Farnce and Argentina go down 12-14 to Canada.

USA became the first side to qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics after qualifying for Cup quarters in London.

London 7s results
Australia vs Wales 28-10
USA vs Spain 29-5
Samoa vs France 14-22
Fiji vs Kenya 24-17
Argentina vs Canada 12-14
South Africa vs Japan 49-0
New Zealand vs Scotland 21-7
England vs Ireland 17-21
Australia vs Spain 42-12
USA vs Wales 28-26
Samoa vs Kenya 20-21

-Report by World Rugby

 

 

 

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Vincent Onyala Kenya 7s Paris 7s London 7s

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