Lioness punch Hong Kong 7s quarters ticket

Kenya Lionesses will play Italy in the Main Cup quarters of the women’s Hong Kong 7s on Friday after outclassing Argentina 17-7 in their last pool match.

Sinaida Aura scored the fifth try of the tournament adding to Janet Owino and Celestine Masinde five-pointers as Marya Gengini touched down for Argentina.

The Kevin Wambua coached side started well in the opening clash, defeating hosts Hong Kong by 24-21 with Aura scoring a hat-trick before going down to Belgium in their second encounter 7-5.

That left them no option but to beat Argentina in the final pool match.

Entering the match, both teams had the opportunity to finish second in Pool B and seal a ticket for the quarters and it was the Kenyans who got off to a great start when Janet Awino went over within the first 40 seconds of the game.

Argentina capitalized on Lionesses mistakes in the defence to come back with a try from Mayra Genghini with Sofia Gonzalez converting to lead 7-5.

It took the brilliance of Aura who had been sensational all day to give Kenya the lead with their second five-pointer to make it 10-7.

Argentina was left themselves to blame with a defence error gifting Lionesses a ticket to Friday’s quarter finals with a late try through Masinde.

The tournament will be used as qualifiers for Women’s rugby seven series where the team will be a core team in the 2017/2018 season.