NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 15 – An improved Kenya Sevens team is on track to retain its Singapore Sevens Main Cup title after beating Samoa 17-7 to sail through the quarter finals on Saturday.
Shujaa won the opening match of Group C thrashing Argentina 22-7 but lost to Australia in the second match 7-29 leaving them with a must win match against Samoa which they indeed won.
The win saw Kenya qualify for the Main Cup quarters for the second time this season after reaching the last eight in Cape Town 7s.
Kenya will now face England in the Cup quarters on Sunday after the Englishmen beat South Africa 17-12 to finish top of Group B.
Samoa were the first to get their rhythm going. Excellent cover defending from Nelson Oyoo prevented Alamanda Motuga from landing a first try for the Samoans but Gordon Langkilde stretched and strained desperately in an attempt to scramble it over.
The referee had a quick check with the TMO and Samoa were awarded the try.
Samoa were on course to double the tries, but they spilled it three yards from the Kenyan tryline. Shujaa went 95 metres before skipper Andrew Amonde slammed it under the sticks.
Having come up with an 80-metre try in the first half, Amonde scythed through the Samoan defence after an overthrow at the lineout to roar the Innocent Simiyu charges in front, a lead that they held to record their second win of the day.