Kenya’s campaign in the Hong Kong Sevens was brought to an end by Japan at the Challenge Trophy semi-finals as the Asians handed Shujaa a 21-12 beating yesterday.
As a result, the Paul Murunga-coached side collected five points at the tournament, the below-par performance further deepening their relegation worries.
Over the three days, Kenya, who had bolstered their squad with a host of experienced faces, struggled in finding their footing with their inability to retain possession from kick-offs as well as poor tackling being evident as has been the case all through the campaign.
Shujaa’s only win in Hong Kong came in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals when they scored three unanswered tries and two conversions to brush aside Canada 19-0.
This would see the side set up the meeting with Japan in the Challenge Trophy semi-finals.
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It was the Japanese who drew first blood with Kazushi Hano being fed with a superb offload to cross the whitewash for a try which was converted by Katsuyuki Sakai.
Augustine Lugonzo reduced the deficit for Kenya on the stroke of halftime.
