TOKYO, Japan, March 30- The see-saw performance of Kenya in the HSBC World Series continued in Japan after they missed out on the Main Cup competition on Saturday.
Mike Friday’s side were relegated to the Bowl quarters after finishing in the bottom of Pool B with loses against Wales and Scotland having finished fourth at the Hong Kong 7s last weekend.
Colin Gregor impressed in Scotland’s 12-0 victory against Kenya in the opening fixture, scoring the first and then turning provider with a wonderful kick for Darren Gillespie.
Friday’s side responded well in their second match, defeating USA 21-10 with in an enthralling match with Zach Test scoring perhaps the try of the day.
“We are fighting for our lives here. We weren’t good enough in game one. A few issues in the contact area but I wasn’t happy with the effort and endeavor which I expect when you pull on the Kenyan shirt. But we saw that in that match. If we win against Wales I think we will have done enough, but that last try by USA could be important,” Friday said after the win.
In their third match, Wales, Main Cup finalists in Hong Kong saved their blushes by recording their first victory at the end of day one against Kenya 33-15 having lost to Scotland 12-10 earlier and in effect, handed the US a berth in the main competition.
Kenya will now face Canada in the Bowl quarters.
Elsewhere, Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand won all three of their matches on day one of the the seventh round of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
On a day where conditions were the polar opposite to the humid Hong Kong last weekend, Samoa beat Australia in a reverse of last year’s Cup final result to top Pool D and set up a Cup quarter final with South Africa on day two.
Last weekend’s champions Fiji will meet the defending champions Australia while Scotland also went unbeaten on day one after drawing 12-12 with the USA to add to two earlier victories and will meet France.
Both Scotland and USA progressed to the Cup quarter finals from Pool C, with both sides looking for important Series points to help their positions of 12th and 14th respectively, and the USA will play Series leaders New Zealand in other quarter final.