Kenya 7s team. PHOTO/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – The national sevens team bagged 10 points at the penultimate round of the 2015-16 HSBC Sevens World Series in Paris, following their 26-7 defeat against Australia in the Plate semi-final on Sunday.
The outcome saw Kenya maintain its seventh spot on 95 points ahead of the final leg when curtains come down next weekend with the London 7s tournament.
Shujaa, who failed to match their Singapore 7s performance where they won their historic first ever Main Cup title, managed to win two out of five games in Paris where the tournament returned for the first time since 2006.
Against Australia, Kenya only managed to ground one converted try through Billy ‘The Kid’ Odhiambo in a match where the Kenyan contingent in Paris rallied behind them.
Australia dominated possession in the encounter with Con Foley notching a brace in the first half against a tiring Kenyan defence.
Shujaa found themselves on the receiving end when Australia went wide through Ed Jenkins who sprinted through a gaping hole in the Kenya defence to run in his side’s third try from 25 meters.
The Benjamin Ayimba side started the second half in much better following the introduction of Robert Aringo as a half-time replacement to get the first try through Odhiambo.
However, the try could not inspire Kenya to get out of their 22 as the clock ran down to give Australia the opportunity to force a penalty at the breakdown.
The resultant penalty was well utilised by Australia as Henry Hutchison dived over in the corner to confirm the win.
To reach the Plate semi-final, Kenya lost 24-5 to hosts France in the Main Cup quarters.
Samoa stunned world series defending champions Fiji 29-26 to lift the Main Cup title while hosts France were 26-17 victors over Argentina to claim third place.
South Africa won Plate after beating Australia 17-7, Scotland walloped England 28-10 to grab the Bowl as Portugal shocked Wales 24-19 in the Shield final.
