Sussies deny Shujaa Amsterdam 7s glory

The national rugby sevens team came close to winning their second Main Cup after their memorable Singapore triumph but it was not to be when Sussies Saloon beat them 20-34 in the Amsterdam 7s decider on Sunday.

Benjamin Ayimba’s developmental side found themselves trailing 5-19 to the Sussies who converted two tries with Felix Ayange who was returning to the national team for the first time in two years crossing the whitewash for Kenya’s only score.

Frank Wanyama who was another experienced player in the team provided a solo effort to ensure they got a try to make it 19-10 in the halftime.

Billy Odhiambo a regular player for the Shujaa in the HSBC World Series and Humphrey Mulama then ensured the comeback was on after they made it 19-20 but three unconverted tries from Sussies won them the 45th edition of the tournament that was first played in 1972.

Shujaa secured a place in the Cup final with a win against Samurai international 22-19 on a match played earlier on Sunday having beaten Tenlct Rhinos 28-5 in the quarters.

In their opening match they flattened NRC Herren 43-0 before recording the same score line against Amstelveen in their second group match.

Their last group match they tore into Dam Busters 63-0 o top Group A with a 100 percent record.

The tournament was a preparations for the men’s sevens rugby competition at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.