Shujaa lose to Australia but still qualify for Cup quarters, to face Scotland

Kenya Sevens lost their final group ‘B’ game 28-26 to Australia in ongoing Hong Kong Sevens but still qualified for the Main Cup quarters buoyed by their wins in their first two matches.

The Innocent Simiyu coached side will now meet Scotland in the Cup quarters tomorrow (Sunday) at 7.05am.

Kenya’s four tries and three conversions were not enough to outplay Australia’s four tries and four conversions.

Shujaa scored five tries through debutant Ian Minjire on the fifth minute, with Kenya’s Harlequins Eden Agero also going over the whitewash after a patient build-up on the 12 minute. Billy Odhiambo and Andrew Amonde also bagged a try each on the 13 and 16 minute respectively.

Earlier, the Kenyans had put their best foot forward to qualify for quarters in style in the ongoing Hong Kong Sevens in Hong Kong on Saturday morning after winning 26-0 against Spain in their second group encounter.

Kenya had thrashed Canada 30-10 in their opener and was in need of this win against Spain to qualify and when they met the Europeans, all they needed to get the game plan rolling were three tries from Speedster Collins Injera and a brace from the burly Willy Ambaka.Eden Agero converted Ambaka’s tries but failed to convert Injera putting Shujaa in the driving seat before the intervals for a 19-0 lead with superb tries.

In their second half, a charging Jeff Oluoch opened their account racing clear to touch down after being set up by Agero .Sammy Oluoch converted for a 26-0 comfortable lead but the Spaniards were thrust between a rock and a hard place after those four converted tries, but that did not deter their hopes of an upset.

Despite a few flashes of brilliance from the Span, Shujaa stood firm on their defence line to stop the attacks from Spain for a sweet savoured win.

With only two minutes left on the stopwatch, it was a well-balanced game on a knife-edge, Shujaa standing firm in the wake of incessant Spanish pressure that saw Shujaa play with their tails up;  Injera stealing in on the blind but his final delivery to Ambaka just bubbled away.

Spain, on the other hand,  were also equal to the task and tried to match Kenya shoulder-to-shoulder with the strength and capability of the East Africans giving them an upper hand –  a knock to the skull of Oliech by a Spain defender proofed heartbreaking after he was substituted for a concussion test.

However the ever-present Collins Injera filled the void left by Oliech at scrumhalf with Arthur Owira filling the forwards position, and the tactical change from tactician Innocent Simiyu made sure the Kenyans are in the Cup quarterfinals

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Spain Canada Kenya Sevens Hong Kong sevens lost to Australia qualify for Main Cup qurters

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