Spot-on Shujaa rock Wales to lift Challenge Trophy

Spot-on Shujaa rock Wales to lift Challenge Trophy

The Kenya Sevens team on Sunday put up a brave performance beating Wales 33-19 to win the Challenge Trophy at the Twickenham Stadium at the London Sevens.

The victory saw Shujaa haul their points tally to 101, hitting their pre-season target of reaching at least 100 points.

At the Twickenham Stadium, Wales drew the first blood through Afon Backshaw for a converted try, before Kenya Harlequins burly winger Willy Ambaka drew the sides level .His try was  converted by Eden Agero.

Homeboyz RFC player Jeffery Oluoch then handed Kenya the lead before Wales responded with a converted try  to tie the scores, in what was shaping out to be a see-saw affair.

With the adrenaline high and each side aiming for glory, Mwamba RFC utility back Billy Odhiambo played in his teammate Collins Injera who went over for his seventh try of the London Sevens for a 21-14 lead just before the intervals. Fly-half Eden Agero then took matters into his own hands,  slicing through the Welsh defence for a five pointer just after the break to the advantage of Shujaa.

France’s Jean Pascal Barraque (C) throws past Kenya’s Collins Injera (L) and Kenya’s prop Herman Humwa during the pool C match between France and Kenya on the first day of the 2018 London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium in London on June 2, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / OLLY GREENWOOD

However Wales hit back through Jared Roser  to cut the deficit.

The game continued to swing from end-to-end but Kenya composed themselves to hand Oluoch space on the right wing, beating his marker with a 40 metre solo run just before the buzzer which was enough to secure Kenya the much needed victory, and with it, the crown.

Kenya will now shift  focus to the 10th and final leg of the HSBC Sevens Circuit in France for the Paris Sevens next weekend.

“It was not what we yearned for but we are proud we bagged a silverware in this tournament, and hopefully we can improve heading to France,” the burly Andrew Amonde roared after the conquest.

Coach Innocent Simiyu also weighed in. “…We are very proud of the boys. We didn’t start well yesterday but we managed to pick up and won a trophy which gives us confidence for the next tournament.”

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Shujaa Kenya Sevens London Sevens win Challenge Trophy

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