NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10- Kenya will face Australia in the Main Cup quarters after squeezing their way through to the last eight for the second successive time at the season ending HSBC World Series leg of London 7s on Saturday.
A tense 17-17 draw with surprise Scotland 7s beaten finalists Canada saw Kenya finish second in Pool B and earn a ticket to the main competition against Pool C winners Australia after beating USA and losing narrowly to favourites Samoa in their opening two fixtures.
Paul Treu’s charges took a 12-5 lead into half time in their last tie against Canada courtesy of tries from Mike Agevi and Billy Odhiambo alongside a Mike Wanjala conversion. Canada scored through John Moonlight.
Second half action saw Kenya concede a try, Justin Douglas making it 12-12. Sean Duke saw Canada go 17-12 up but Felix Ayange’s try levelled things, setting up the quarter final berth against Australia at 12.50pm local time (+3GMT) on Sunday.
A 19-12 defeat to Samoa in their second Pool B fixture at the London Sevens meant Kenya had to beat or hold the side that lost the Scotland 7s Main Cup to the New Zealand All Blacks last weekend.
Samoa were quick off the mark, going 5-0 up when Lio Lolo broke loose to touch down after just 21 seconds of play.
Mike Wanjala would soon visit the sin bin for a professional foul, the Samoans capitalizing on this to land their
second when Fautua Otto grounded with Tulolo Tulolo converting to see Pacific Islanders go 12-0 up.
Kenya would start to see more of the ball, visiting Samoan territory and putting their first points on the board when Collins Injera grounded, Biko Adema missing the conversion with the score at 12-5.
Adema would convert Billy Odhiambo’s try on the stroke of half time to square things at 12-12.
The second half was a close contest, Kenya just shading it in terms of possession. They would turnover possession,
Tulolo converting Tila Mealoi’s try for a 19-12 lead that they held right to full time.
Kenya began their London campaign by rallying from 0-5 to defeat the USA 22-5 in their opening Pool B encounter.
Despite dominating possession and territory, Kenya were unable to breach the American’s defence, poor handling their biggest undoing.
They were punished towards the stroke of half time, Danny Barrett grounding to put USA 5-0. Kenya’s response as immediate, Patrice Agunda’s try ensuring the sides were level 5-5 at half time.
Billy Odhiambo would give Kenya the lead, showing his marker a clean pair of heels to touch down with Biko Adema converting for a 12-5 score. Incessant Kenya pressure saw them force the USA into infringements, Humphrey Kayange having the presence of mind to score a try off a quickly taken penalty, Kenya 17-5 up.
Substitute Mike Agevi would play in elder brother injera with a sublime grubber that he grounded to seal the result for Kenya.
-By Kenya Rugby Union
