KENYA DROPS GUARD: Shujaa relegated to Challenge Trophy for fourth time this season

Samuel Oliech (L) of Kenya tackles Beaudein Waaka of New Zealand on day one of the USA Sevens Rugby tournament, part of the World Rugby Sevens Series, March 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. / AFP PHOTO / David BECKER

Kenya Sevens have been relegated to the Las Vegas Sevens Challenge Trophy after finishing third in the Pool C of the fifth leg of the 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series in North America.

The Innocent Simiyu's side dropped to the less desired cup despite their 12-10 victory over Russia 12-10 in their final group match on Saturday morning.

The Singapore champions, who beat Chile 21-19 in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals at the Sam Boyd Stadium on Sunday morning, were to play France last night (11.08pm) in the semi-finals.

This was the fourth time Kenya were dropping to the Challenge Trophy this season, after finishing third in the group stages in Dubai, Wellington and Sydney legs.

Prior to the Russia win, Shujaa lost 24-7 to New Zealand, before drawing 14-14 against eventual group winners Argentina on Day One. The Argentines lost 21-19 to Mike Friday's USA in the Main Cup quarter-finals.

Kenya would have qualified for the Cup quarters, had Argentina lost to New Zealand. However, the result went against the Kenyans' wishes after Argentina surprisingly beat the All Blacks 12-10, hence relegating Shujaa to the Challenge Trophy quarters.

Russia took the lead through Eme Patris Peki's unconverted try before Dmitry Sukhin was sin-binned. Kenya immediately capitalised on the numerical advantage as Willy Ambaka grounded his 83rd World series try, but Sammy Oliech missed the conversion, tying the game 5-5.

Captain Andrew Amonde scored Kenya's second try under the post, which Oliech successfully converted for a 12-5 lead. However, Eduard Filatov beautifully passed the ball to Alexey Kapalin, who scored an unconverted try for the game to end 12-10.

Billy Odhiambo put Kenya in the driving seat in their quarter-final match against Chile with a converted try, before Daniel Sikuta doubled the lead.

Captain Amonde struck a third converted try for Kenya at the interval. Chile came back into the second half a more rejuvenated side, scoring 12 straight points, but the Kenyans held their nerves to sail through and book a semi-final date with France.