Struggling Shujaa finish last at Vancouver Sevens

Photo [Courtesy]

 

The Kenya Sevens team finished last at the sixth round of the World Sevens Series in Vancouver, Canada following a 22-14 loss to Japan in the 13th place semi-finals on Sunday night.

Over the two days, Shujaa conceded 176 points, this summing up as an underwhelming outing. 

Consequently, Paul Murunga’s charges picked one point from the tournament, taking their season tally to 18 points.

The team dropped one place on the overall standings and now occupy 14th position, four points off the relegation zone. 

It was for the third time this season that the side was ending a tournament without a win, having had a similar performance at the Dubai and Sydney tournaments.

It was Shujaa, who opened the scoring against Japan, taking the lead through Bush Mwale, who went over for a try that his Homeboyz teammate Johnstone Olindi converted.

The Asians, who had suffered a loss to Kenya at the Las Vegas Sevens, responded as Naoki Motomura went over the whitewash for a converted try which levelled matters.

Motomura soon landed his brace with a five-pointer as Japan took a 12-7 lead at halftime.

Japan continued with their dominance upon resumption by scoring two unconverted tries through Kameli Soejima and Dai Ozawa.

Debutant Shadon Munoko then gave Shujaa a glimmer of hope on the stroke of full time as he scored a converted try.

Earlier, Kenya had soaked in nine tries and one conversion, crushing to a 47-7 defeat to Australia in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals.