Kenya Sevens fans at Paris 7s.PHOTO/IRB
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 22 – Kenya’s hopes of recording 100 points in the overall standings were dashed by Wales, after Shujaa went down 19-21 to a resilient Welsh side in the Bowl quarter-final at the final leg of the 2015-16 HSBC Sevens World Series in London on Sunday.
The defeat saw the Benjamin Ayimba side drop to the Shield competition where they will be playing for three points, meaning they can only reach a maximum of 98 points in the overall log as curtains comes down for what has been an amazing season for Kenya.
The biggest overall points Kenya has collected is 99, which they achieved under the then head coach Englishman Mike Friday at the 2012-13 season where they finished fifth.
However, it was a splendid outing for vice captain Collins Injera, who dotted down his fifth try in London against Wales, to take his all-time world leading try scorer record tally to 232.
Kenya committed easy mistakes to give Wales confidence as they dominated the first-half, scoring two converted tries to command a 14-0 lead at the break.
Wales pinned down Kenya on their half to force Shujaa concede a penalty that was quickly taken by Angus O’Brie before he off loaded to Luke Morgan, who did well to print outside and touch the white wash for the opener.
Ayimba charges could not learn from their errors and they conceded another penalty to gift Adam Thomas an incredible solo effort try after he picked the ball from the ruck to kick, then racing after it to ground down on the stroke of half-time.
Returning for the last half, Kenya began well with Nelson Oyoo pulling one back from a Sammy Oliech pass but they suffered a blow after veteran Humphrey Kayange limped off injured.
Injera reduced the deficit to two points with his converted try when he dummied two Welsh players to race under the post for a 12-14 scoreline.
Oyoo was at it again, turning over his second in the game after darting past O’Brie to send his side ahead with Oliech’s conversion going through for a 19-17 lead, but lack of concentration cost them in the dying minutes to hand Rhodri Williams the winning converted try.
In the Shield semi-final, Kenya ran riot against Brazil winning 38-5 to advance to the final.
