Kenya Lionesses go down to Kazakhstan

Kenya Lionesses scrum half Grace Adhiambo (center) in action against Kazakhstan.[World Rugby]

The Kenya Lionesses picked up a losing bonus point in a battling 18-12 defeat to Kazakhstan in their second WXV3 match at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, UAE on Friday.

Kazakhstan took early possession thanks to a string of unforced errors from the Lionesses. Their breakthrough came when scrum half Daina Kazibekova scored an unconverted try just five minutes into the game.

As the half progressed, the Lionesses continued to struggle with unforced errors, which proved costly. This allowed hooker Moldir Askhat to power over for Kazakhstan’s second try, giving them a 10-0 lead after twenty three minutes.

Despite the Lionesses’ strong efforts to push forward and impose their physicality in the forwards, the persistent errors plagued their progress. As the first half drew to a close, Kazakhstan held a 10-0 lead at the interval.

The Lionesses began the second half with intent, buoyed by the inclusions of Grace Okulu and Phoebe Akinyi for Freshia Awino and Enid Ouma respectively.

They were within touching distance of the Kazakh tryline, Laurnie Akoth unlucky to spill the ball with the tryline in sight.

Okulu would soon visit the sin bin and Kazakhstan seized the numerical advantage to first up put the Lionessses on the backfoot before outside center touched Yeva Bekker touched down on fifty minutes to put the Kazakhs 15-0 up.

Gulim Bakytpek’s penalty on sixth minutes then made it 18-0 before the Lionesses began their late rally, powered by the fresh legs of Judith Okumu, Mercy Migongo, Evelyn Kalemera and Naomi Muhanji.

Stella Wafula would on to Okulu’s well weighted pass before burning her defenders to score. Okulu was sure with the conversion, the scores now 18-7 on sixty six minutes.

Terry Ayesa then conjured up a try saving tackle that denied Kazakhstan their bonus point try, this action setting the stage for a frantic final nine minutes that saw the Lionesses throw everything at Kazakhstan, falling short at the full time whistle.

The Lionesses will close out their campaign against Colombia at 6.30pm EAT on Friday