BAD START FOR Shujaa: Kenya drop out of Main Cup Competition in HSBC Wellington

Dan Bibby (R) of Engalnd is tackled by Daniel Sikuta (L) of Kenya during their rugby match on the first day of the Dubai leg of IRB's Sevens World Series on Decembre 5, 2014. The 2014/15 World Seven Series began in Australia's Gold Coast last month and will see the 16 participating teams travel to Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, Scotland and England. The top four-ranked nations at the end of the campaign in May will qualify directly for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/KARIM SAHIB

Kenya dropped out of the Main Cup Competition in the HSBC 2016/2017 Wellington Sevens at Westpac Stadium after they won only one match of their three group matches in New Zealand yesterday.

The National Sevens team lost their opening match 12-17 against Argentina but came back into contention in the second encounter with a gallant 47-5 victory against Papua New Guinea.

Shujaa’s chances for top honours diminished when they were beaten 31-12 by England in their third preliminary match to drop to the Bowl Competition.

Against the South Americans, Kenya gave a good a good account of themselves but the Argentines required an eleventh minute but well deserved try to secure the hard fought victory for them (Argentina) to outwit The Shujaa in the second half of the epic encounter.

That victory appeared to have increased the confidence of Argentines as they went ahead to whip Papua New Guinea 40-0 in their second match to book their place in the Main Cup quarters with a match at hand against England.

Against Argentina, Kenya’s Willy Ambaka’s try levelled the scores for a 12-12 draw in the final minutes of play before Argentina secured a last minute try to win the match 17-12 after leading 12-0 at half time.

In their second match, a resurgent Kenya walloped Papua New Guinea 47-5.

Kenya dropped out on the Main Cup Competition after they also lost 31-12 to England in their group match.

Although they dropped out of the Main Cup Competition, Kenya remained third in the four team group standings with one victory from three matches after Papua New Guinea lost all her matches to Kenya, Argentina and England.

England thumped Papua New Guinea 40-0 after a slow start leading 12-0 at the break.

In their last preliminary match after they had been beaten 47-5 by Kenya, Papua New Guinea gave Argentina a run for their money forcing a deadlock 14-14 draw at the break before Argentina stormed the pitch in the second half to win 41-14 for the South Americans to match to the Main Cup quarters with a match at hand against England.