NAIROBI, Kenya, March 24- Kenya were denied a second Main Cup final appearance of the season at the Hong Kong 7s by a clinical Wales side who beat Mike Friday’s side 19-0 in the first semi on Sunday.
Lee Williams who grounded the ball to open the scoring was the star of the Welsh side that made their first ever Hong Kong 7s Main Cup final by restraining Shujaa thought out the match.
“Congratulations to Wales, they were the more clinical side but we gave our all at the Hong Kong Sevens,” Friday said after the loss that denied his side a second Main Cup bow following the Wellington 7s where they lost to England.
After both teams struggled to impose themselves at the start, Wales worked the ball wide and space opened up in the Kenya defence.
Williams needs no seecond invitation as he touched down and picked himself up to convert his try for the 7-0 lead.
Kenya struggled to get much possession and a clever kick by Alex Webber meant that had to take the ball over the line before touching down.
Webber threatened to stretch the lead but great defending by Kenya ensured he could not ground the ball and so Wales lead 7-0 at the break.
“We can’t land on our backs. No silly 50:50s on the inside. Don’t get caught side on. Push them up the middle,” Friday implored his charges at the break.
Soon after the re-start, quick thinking by Williams set Craig Price free to barge over to increase Wales’ lead to 14-0.
Again, Kenya could not get the ball off a well-drilled Wales with Williams pulling the strings and their Main Cup semi woes were summed when they got a penalty near their own line, but Michael Wanjala knocked it tap on.
With half a minute to go, Wales confirmed their place in the Cup final when youngster Sam Cross scored his first-ever HSBC Sevens try for the final 19-0 score.
Earlier, Biko Adema slotted a last-second drop kick penalty to see off Portugal 15-12 in the Cup quarters.
