Kenya stun Argentina to claim Bowl in Las Vegas

National Sevens team maintained its 12th position in the IRB World Series after bagging eight points in USA over the weekend.

Playing in Las Vegas, the fifth stop in the nine leg series, Kenya won the Bowl competition after beating Argentina 24-21. This takes Kenya’s tally to 29 points with only four legs remaining in the circuit.

Despite missing out on the Main Cup competition, Kenya will not be overly disappointed as this was their second highest tally this season, with only Wellington leg, where they collected 10 points, having been better.

Speaking to World Sevens Series media Strathmore forward Tony Opondo said: “It was a good game, the Argentines were really tough in attack and we needed to make up for losing to them in the pool stages in the last few rounds. This win also makes up for losing to Fiji here last year.”

Even though winning the bowl was not the result the team was aiming for, head coach Felix Ochieng will be glad that they are finally making some progress after a dismal start to the season.

The remaining legs in the circuit include trips to Hong Kong, Japan, Scotland and England and Kenya will be hoping that they can keep their form and even surge higher.

Meanwhile, Fiji beat New Zealand 35-19 to lift the Cup at the USA Sevens for the first time since 2007 at round five of the Sevens World Series. A brace of tries to Fiji’s elusive Jerry Tuwai and Semi Kunatani paved the way for a convincing win for the Pacific islanders.

It means a lot for us. We’ve talked about improving our defence and discipline and today it has paid off,” said captain Osea Kolinisau, who missed the final through injury. “One of the strengths of the team is that we are in this together and we proved that this weekend.”

Both finalists close the gap on series leaders South Africa, with just seven points now separating the top three. The Blitzboks maintain their place in first with 93 series points, with New Zealand (88) and Fiji (86) in second and third respectively as the series passes the halfway stage in Las Vegas.

The hosts USA received 15 points and move up to seventh in the series standings after finishing fourth at the Sam Boyd Stadium, while Australia’s Plate final win over England gives them a three point cushion over England in fourth as the race for Olympic qualification continues.

Portugal beat Wales 19-12 to win the Shield final after leading 12-0 at half time courtesy of an Aderito Esteves brace. Nuno Guedes scored early in the second half extending the lead before Wales hit back with two late tries from Jason Harries and Luke Morgan.