So near yet so far for Kenya: Shujaa land 10 points from Singapore despite two losses at the death

RUGBYU-SIN-SEVENS Frank Wanyama (L) of Kenya runs with the ball against Argentina during day one of Singapore Rugby Sevens tournament on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN

Yet another unlucky day for Sevens rugby team in eighth IRB leg.

Deposed Singapore Sevens champions Kenya have bagged 10 points from the eighth leg of the 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series.

Shujaa lost twice at the death on Day Two’s knock-out matches at the National Stadium, yesterday.

It was one of the unluckiest days for Kenya, who missed out on a Main Cup semifinal slot after a last-gasp 13-12 defeat to England. Before they could regroup and surge on they lost (24-21), at the death, again, in their fifth place semifinal clash against New Zealand.

Shujaa were on the way to break their six-year win-less jinx against England, only for Dan Bibby to ensure the long wait goes on after he converted a last minute penalty kick.

Kenya took the lead through Sammy Oliech’s own converted try before Frank Wanyama capitalised on their numerical advantage, after James Rodwell was sin-binned, to give the East Africans a 12-0 lead.

However, Phil Burgess brought England back into the game with an unconverted try just before the break to make the scores 12-5.

Leading all-time top try scorer Dan Norton opened a two-try gap at the top after landing his 246th try, before Bibby completed England’s dramatic come-back with a late penalty kick.

“It was a simple one that you knock over in training, but that one had pressure. But it shouldn’t have come to that. We needed to stick to our game plan earlier, but credit to Kenya.

“We are one of the quickest teams on the circuit, so if we can get it into their hands, we spread it wide. Happy birthday, Mum,” said Dan Bibby after his match-winning kick against Kenya.

And just like the Cup quarters, Kenya could no hold onto their 14-12 first half lead as they lost 24-21 to the All Blacks in the fifth place semifinal fixture.

Brian Tanga grounded Kenya’s first converted try after a sensational dummy before Derick Mayar, who was making his debut in the HSBC Series, doubled the lead with a converted try in the fifth minute.

However, Trael Joass kick-started New Zealand’s come-back with a converted try before Lewis Ormond finished off a slick move.