Kenya sevens lose their campaign in Paris

Kenya’s Humphrey Kayange in action against New Zealand on Saturday. [PHOTO: AFP]

Kenya Sevens rugby team endured a bad second day at the Paris Sevens, the ninth leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series, after losing 7-26 to Australia and 24-5 to France, in the Plate semi-final and Main Cup quarter-final.

Despite the defeats, Kenya who were seventh on the overall standing going into the Paris leg, bagged 10 invaluable points at the Stade Jean Bouin, taking their season tally to 95 with one leg to go (London leg May 21—22).

Australia started on the brighter side, dominating possession with Con Foley grounding a brace of tries in the first half against a tiring Kenyan defence. J Stannard successfully converted Foley’s double before Ed Jenkins sprinted through a gaping hole in the Kenya defence to touch down the Aussies’ third try from 25 metres as they took a 21-0 lead into the break.

Kenya came back into the second half a better side, following the introduction of Robert Aringo and deservedly got the first try of the second half through Billy Odhiambo. Samuel Oliech converted successfully.

And as the game progressed, Australia restricted Kenya to their own 22 zone, forcing a penalty at the breakdown. Henry Hutchison then put the game beyond the reach of the Singapore leg champions with a dive over in the corner, which sealed Aussies’ Plate final ticket.

Against France, the Benjamin Ayimba boys lost 24-5.

France drew first blood when Terry Bouhraoua combined well with Virimi Vakatawa to touch down in the first minute, with Stephen Parez converting for an early 7-0 lead.

However, Kenya responded with record-chasing Collins Injera beating Vakatawa before passing the ball to Billy Odhiambo, who outpaced the French defence to make it 7-5, but Samuel Oliech missed the conversion for France to take a slim a two-point lead at the break.

Bouhraoua could have doubled the lead for the Les Bleus, but he spilled a difficult pass from Pierre Gillies Lakafia with the line at his mercy. However, he amended his error after setting up Manoel Dall Igna for the second try.

Vakatawa, who was a constant threat to Kenya’s defence, picked up a loose ball and raced to the try line, before Lakafia grounded the fourth try for France.

Kenya reached the cup quarters at after finishing second in Pool A following a 19-17 loss to table toppers New Zealand in their final Pool match on Saturday. Kenya had beaten Russia 22-7 and Portugal 29-14. Focus shifts to this weekend’s final leg of the Series in London, England.