Kenya Sevens edge Zimbabwe in South Africa Solidarity 7s opener

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

Kenya Sevens thrashed Zimbabwe 24-0 to register a winning start at the Rugby Africa Solidarity 7s played in South Africa on Saturday.

Shujaa drilled in four tries, two in each half to join South Africa atop the standings of the round-robin group with three points. South Africa had defeated Uganda 26-7 in the opening match of the event.

Kenya started on a high note with Billy Odhiambo and Jacob Ojee exchanging hands and quick feet trying to penetrate the Zimbabwean defense which proved tricky for the opening three minutes of the match.

A series of ball-handling mistakes by Kenya enabled Zimbabwe to threaten for most of the first half but each time they attempted a break Shujaa defended well to prevent going behind.

Shujaa however struck first after Jacob Ojee beat his two markers deep in Kenya’s territory, racing past the Zimbabwean defense to score a try that Tony Omondi converted.

Billy Odhiambo would release Derrick Keyoga with a well-taken kick up the right-wing of the field with Keyoga proceeding to kick his way to the try line twice before touching down for Kenya’s second try to take a 14-0 lead at the break.

In the second, Alvin Otieno crossed over on the left to stretch the lead to 19-0 after a missed conversion before Tony Omondi sealed the victory with another corner post try off a scrum.

Kenya will face South Africa 1 in the second match set for 12:30 PM.

Elsewhere, South Africa 1 came from behind to beat Uganda 26-7 in the first match of the competition.

South Africa 7s Results and Schedule

South Africa 1 26-7 Uganda

Kenya 7s 24-0 Zimbabwe

South Africa 2 0-40 SAS 7s

12:30 South Africa 1 V Kenya 7s

12:50 Uganda V South Africa 2

13:10 Zimbabwe V SAS 7s

2:50 Kenya V South Africa 2

3:10 Uganda V SAS 7s

3:30 South Africa 1 V Zimbabwe