NAIROBI, Kenya, April 29 – Oscar Ouma scored a hat trick as Kenya thrashed Cayman Islands 67-0 in their last Pool A match of the Junior World Rugby Trophy on Wednesday but missed out on a place after USA edged out Namibia 29-24 in the decider.
Kenya needed a big win against the Cayman Island coupled by a slim US victory to make Sunday’s final and looked on course after a huge victory but a late surge by the Junior Eagles saw them score the required four tries to get the bonus point they desperately sought and with it a place in the final.
Mitch Ochollas side had led 22-0 at the break with Mathew Musalia and Patrice Agunda crossing to put Kenya in the driving seat at the interval.
The Caribbean side had no answer to the rampaging Kenyan forwards whose speed and power in the tight had the islanders on the back foot for most of the 80 minutes.
Kenya fly half Ken Andola put the hosts ahead with a penalty before Ouma crossed over for his first try from 40 metres after breaking from the ruck and showing good speed to leave opposing defenders in his wake for an 8-0 lead.
Kenya were awarded another penalty and from the lineout, Mathew Musalia dived over for Kenya’s second try which Andola converted to stretch the lead to 15-0.
Star centre Agunda ran a superb angle from an attacking lineout to put his in firm control going into the break and the crucial bonus point in touching distance.
Ouma’s second try after the interval opened the floodgates in the second half with Dennis Karani, Jeremy Njoroge, Felix Ayange and Ken Isindu also touching down.
Ocholla expressed delight with the way his team performed.
"The boys really stepped up today. We knew the importance of putting many points on the board as possible and glad the game plan was executed perfectly," said Ocholla.
Kenya captain Eric Kioko had special praise for his pack from whom seven of their ten tries came from.
"The half time centered around taking control of the game and attacking them where there were vulnerable," said Kioko.
He said whose team who are currently awaiting the results of the ongoing game between the United States and Namibia said that they have learnt a lot from the experience.
Namibia and the United States have played regularly on the international stage and the exposure we have gotten over the tournament will help us in future, said Kioko.
