NAIROBI, Kenya, January 13 – The national women’s rugby 7s team stormed into the semi-finals of the World Rugby 7s Challenger Series after defeating the Czech Republic 22-12 in their quarterfinal tie in Dubai on Saturday evening.
The two teams had earlier met in the Pool B of the competition, with the Czechs winning 17-12 in a tightly contested fixture at the Sevens Stadium on Friday evening.
It seemed as if the Lionesses were due for deja vu when Anezka-Marta Sladkova drew first blood in the first minute, putting the Czechs in the lead with the first try.
However, Naomi Amuguni levelled matters for Kenya before Sinaida Nyachio’s conversion put them in front.
Nyachio’s banishment to the sin bin in the fifth minute allowed the Czechs to resume the driving seat courtesy of Sladkova’s second try of the game, which was converted by Julie Dulezidova.
The Lionesses were determined to be undone this time round, levelling scores once again via Stella Wafula’s try in the 10th minute.
With a minute to end of the game, Amuguni put the ball over the white chalk for her brace of the evening.
Nyachio then scored her first try before the final whistle to complete the Lionesses’ revenge mission and confirm their passage into the semi-finals.
They next face Argentina who beat Thailand by the same scoreline in their preceding quarterfinal tie.
