Kenya beats Hong Kong but fall to edge out England
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By James Waindi and irb.com Kenya beat Hong Kong 43-7 in their second match of the fifth Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Dubai to storm into the quarter-finals of the event. Despite losing their final Group E match 26-7 to England later in the day, Kenya still qualified for the quarters of the main event, courtesy of being the best second-placed team after the group matches. They are expected to lock horns with champions and Group B winners Fiji today. After two wins against Tunisia and Hong Kong, the Ayimba boys amassed seven points, that was enough to see them through to the next level. Against Hong Kong, just like in their opener against Tunisia, Kenya conceded an early try, but responded by seven tries, four of which were converted by Mwamba fly-half Lavin Asego. Rowan Varty caught Kenya’s defence napping and strolled over for a try, which Kenzo Pannel converted. In the third minute, Collins Injera made a good run, bumped off Mark Wright before off-loading the ball to Asego to score. Humphrey Kayange then made a darting run and on the tackle passed on to Gibson Weru to add the second try for the lead to change hands 12-7 in Kenya’s favour when Asego kicked over the conversion. Fired-up Kenya With the buzzer gone, Kenya won a scrum ball and Weru drove over for his second try of the tournament as Kenya comfortably led 17-7 at half-time. In the second half, Hong Kong was no match for a much fired-up Kenya side who dictated the pace. Asego scored and converted his try after only 52 seconds to stretch Kenya’s lead 24-7. Sidney Ashioya was next over and Asego drilled over his third conversion. Substitute Horace Otieno hacked and chased the ball to score a try before Collins Injera scored his fourth try of the tournament, which Asego converted. Coach Benjamin Ayimba said he had a formula for the match against England who narrowly beat Tunisia 26-24 in their second match. In the second match against England, Kenya who had won four out of their five meetings with England, found their act wrong as they conceded an early try and were unable to find their back in the game.