Kenya Sevens national rugby team has been relegated to the Vancouver Sevens Challenge Cup after a false start in the sixth round of the 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series at BC Place Stadium at the weekend.
The Singapore champions were to play Scotland in the less fancied Challenge Trophy quarterfinal last night.
Shujaa lost 14-28 to England in their opening Pool A game on Saturday night. In their second group match against series leaders and eventual pool winners, South Africa, the Kenyans were not up to scratch, losing 15-5.
However, Kenya rebounded in their final group match against Chile. They won 26-19, but dropped to the Challenge Trophy for the fifth time this season. They also finished third in the group stages in Dubai, Wellington, Sydney and Las Vegas.
Kenya led 7-0 against England after Eden Agero played in Willy Ambaka, who powered under the posts, before Agero successfully converted.
However, the English side responded swiftly through Phil Burgess’ converted try that ensured parity at the break.
Kenya regained the lead after the breather when Sammy Oliech pounced on a loose ball from the blind, raced clear to score a converted try.
But his celebrations were cut short when England were awarded a penalty try following infringement by Ambaka, before he was sin-binned.
The third-ranked European side capitalised on the numerical advantage. Dan Norton grounded his 238th try, four shy of world leading 242 tries by Collins Injera.
Dan Bibby put the game beyond Shujaa’s reach with a fourth converted try as the match ended 28-14.
Meanwhile, Homeboyz RFC dislodged Kenya Commercial Bank from the top of the Kenya Cup League after beating Western Bulls 36-26 in Kakamega, over the weekend.
The win saw the Deejays take their tally to 59 points as the bankers dropped to the third spot following their 24-27 loss to hosts Impala.
