Kenya drops guard, again! Two successive tries by Scotland deny Kenyans title in Hong Kong Sevens

Frank Wanyama of Kenya scores against France on the second day of the Rugby Sevens tournament in Hong Kong on April 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Anthony WALLACE

Poor decisions and slip-ups relegate Shujaa to Challenge Trophy

The Naysayers have little power over fate, but when you give it to them, there is only so much to expect.

And so, fate has condemned the Kenya national rugby Sevens team to the lowly treasured Challenge Trophy (formerly Bowl) during this season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Once more, Kenya made it to the Challenge Trophy final, but this time, Innocent Simiyu and his boys lost 21:19 to Scotland. Dennis Ombachi worked a nice interchange with Frank Wanyama and the man, who has been on fire this season, made no mistake roaring over the first try of the game.

However, poor decisions and slip-ups from Kenyans saw Scotland make two successive tries to take the lead.

As Scott Wight’s conversion sailed through the posts, Kenyans’ hopes dwindle as fast. Ombachi responded with a try, but Augustine Lugonzo’s conversion went wide.

In the second half, James Fleming was once again too fast for the Kenyans and his second try ensured the Royal Blue boys of Scotland got a silverware in Hong Kong.

Andrew Amonde’s last-gasp try for Kenya came in too late in the day as Scotland had done the real damage on coach Innocent Simiyu’s squad. Billy ‘the kid’ Odhiambo had earlier drawn first blood and never lost the initiative against the Russians in Kenya’s second match. Odhiambo went crossed the try line as the confused and over powered the helpless Russian defence.

Then came Frank Wanyama, who crossed the try line again as Kenya led 17-0. After resumption for the second half, Shujaa picked from where they had left. Not even Russia’s big man Vladimir Ostoushko, who sits pretty at the top of the DHL Player Performance, could break the Kenyan dance.

The Russians even tried the chip and chase in an attempt to get forward momentum against a well-organised Kenyan defence, but it was all in vain.

Instead, captain Andrew Amonde picked the ball, offloaded to Bush Mwale, who turned and passed to Samuel Oliech in a classic show of strength.