Dubai 7s: Kenya Sevens top pool after winning all matches

Kenya Seven's Billy Odhiambo at Dubai 7s. [Courtesy-Dubai 7s]

Kenya Sevens finished top of Pool Blue after winning all their three matches at the Emirates Invitational Sevens tournament played on Thursday at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

Kenya saw off Spain, Canada and Uganda to lead the pool with nine points, an improvement from their performance witnessed last weekend during the first leg of the event where they finished a distant third.

To confirm their status, Shujaa narrowly edged out Spain 17-14 in the last pool match, avenging their last weekend loss to the Spaniards who defeated them 15-14.

Jacob Ojee, Willy Ambaka and Alvin Otieno each crossed the white wash to seal Kenya’s win against Spain’s two tries.

In the earlier matches, Vincent Onyala registered a brace in each of the two opening wins that Shujaa registered against Canada and Uganda.

In the morning, Kenya Sevens edged out neighbours Uganda 28-10 to kick start the final leg of the Emirates Dubai Invitational Sevens tournament on a high note.

Kenya started on a high note after taking a 7-0 lead in the opening minutes of play after Billy Odhiambo released Vincent Onyala who’s centre post try was converted by Tony Omondi.

Shujaa’s bright start was further rewarded after Willy Ambaka found a racing Jacob Ojee with a neat pass and the KCB winger dashing to the try line to extend Kenya’s lead to 14-0 after Omondi’s second successful conversion.

Desire Ayera trimmed the lead to 14-5 at the break after scoring Uganda’s first try of the match after the hooter.

In the second half, Billy Odhiambo dashed past three Ugandan defenders to stretch Kenya’s lead to 21-5 after Daniel Taabu’s conversion.

Onyala completed his brace late on before Adrian Kasito went over for a late Uganda try as Kenya held on to win 28-10.

In the second match, Onyala once again scored two tries as Kenya beat Canada 21-10 in the second match.

Billy Odhiambo found an unmarked Daniel Taabu scored between the posts before the Canadians responded with a five-pointer to trim the gap to two points.

Jacob Ojee beat his markers before releasing the ball to his club teammate Vincent Onyala who crossed the whitewash to score his third try of the competition.

Onyala completed his stellar performances in the final leg of the Dubai event after stretching Kenya’s lead to 21-10 in the second half.

Kenya Lionesses' Janet Okello in action at Dubai 7s. [Courtesy-Dubai 7s]

In the Women’s category, Kenya Lionesses poor run continued after failing to win a single match once again.

Lionesses lost 22-5 to Canada in the opening match before going down 31-5 to France.

The Lionesses were then denied a win by Japan after the Asians rallied in the second half to hold Kenya to a 10-10 draw.

Dubai 7s Day 1 Results

Kenya 28-10 Uganda

Kenya 21-10 Canada

Kenya 17-14 Spain