NAIROBI, Kenya, December 3- Kenya got their 2010-2011 International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens series off to a winning start with a 31-19 victory over Arabian Gulf on Friday morning in Dubai.Captain Humphrey Kayange grabbed a hat trick while Leon Adongo crossed over for two tries of his own.
Benjamin Ayimba’s side were forced to borrow kit from Zimbabwe after Kenya’s jerseys got misplaced at the Dubai International Airport.
Arabian Gulf were first on the board through Taif Al Delamie who went over for a 7-0 lead.
Rory Binder extended the hosts lead to 14-0 after Kenya gave away a succession of penalties in their own half.
However, Kenya hit back straight from the restart as the ball was spun wide to Kayange who went through a yawning gap in the Gulf defense to make the scores 14 -7.
Kenya crossed over for another try after counter attacking from their own half. Gibson Weru collected a loose Gulf attack and ran it back to set up a platform.
Kenya recycled quickly and the ball was shifted to Adongo who scored under the posts to tie the game 14-14 at half time.
Adongo got his second at the start of the second half with a superb run to put Kenya ahead for the first time in the clash.
Kayange crossed for two more tries for the victory and to put Kenya at the top of Pool A ahead of Samoa who drew with Wales 21-21.
Kenya’s next match is against the Red Shirts at 1.02 pm and then face Samoa at 5.52 pm.