Mixed results for young side Shujaa in Hamilton 7s

France's Jonathan Laugel (C) is tackled during the World Rugby Sevens Series match between France and Kenya at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on January 26, 2019. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)

A 19-15 win over France not enough to send Paul Murunga’s men to the last eight. 

Kenya’s 19-15 win over France yesterday in New Zealand served as a mere consolation as the side failed to progress to the Hamilton Sevens Cup quarters. There was no reprieve for Shujaa, who had a similar fate at last year’s opening two legs in Dubai and Cape Town.

Shujaa was scheduled to tackle Tonga in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals today morning.

Paul Murunga’s charges headed to the match against France already eliminated from the Main Cup.

They had gone down to series defending champions South Africa in their first match before a 19-10 loss to Scotland.

Against the Frenchmen, Kenya got onto the scoresheet through three tries and two conversions against France’s three unconverted tries.

The Kenyans, who were hungry for their first win of the group stages this season, started strongly as captain Jacob Ojee beat his markers for pace on the wing to hand his side a 5-0 advantage.

France would then draw level soon afterwards as Huyard Nisie dotted down an unconverted try.

Kenya’s advantage was restored on the stroke of half-time, Daniel Taabu converting Vincent Onyala’s try to give the side a 12-5 lead at the interval.

On resumption, Taabu converted his own try to put Kenya firmly on the driving seat.

France then cut the deficit from a well-executed move from a scrum which allowed Remi Siega to cross the whitewash for their second try which was not converted.

Jimmy Yobo’s try, seconds to the final whistle would set up a nervy ending but Kenya held on to finish third in pool C with 5 points.

In their first match against South Africa, Shujaa got off to a flying start as a possession turn over saw Ojee score an unconverted try.

The South Africans would then respond instantly as Kyle Brown and Werner Kok scored two unconverted tries to hand their side a 10-5 advantage.

Zain Davids then compounded Kenya’s woes as he stretched South Africa’s lead with a converted try just before half-time.

Branco Du Preez then scored a five-pointer for South Africa before Kenya responded through Cyprian Kuto’s unconverted try.

South Africa ensured the points were safe as they scored a late try through Stedman Gans.

Meanwhile, defending champions Fiji eased to the cup quarter-finals alongside hosts New Zealand. 

Other sides that progressed to the last eight are Australia, Samoa, Canada, South Africa, Scotland and Dubai Sevens champions USA.