Samurai crowned Safari Sevens champions as Kenya Morans finish thrid by seeing off Spain

Kenya Shujaa fans during Safari 7s at RFUEA Grounds. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

A Kurt Lee Arendse try in the second half helped Samurai Select beat Kenya’s Shujaa 21-14 to win the 22nd edition of the Safari Sevens at the RFUEA grounds, Nairobi yesterday.

Samurai’s sustained pressure early in the first half allowed Ruan Mostert to go over the chalk for their opening try which was converted by Augustine Lugonzo.

Skipper Eden Agero then set up Daniel Taabu, who landed Shujaa’s first converted try to level the scores.

Alvin Otieno made a try saving tackle to deny Frank Wanyama before Taabu converted Johnstone Olindi’s try, handing Shujaa a 14-7 advantage at halftime.

Samurai drew level on resumption through a try by Hugo Stiles, which was converted by Angus Van Nierkerk.

Van Nierkerk then converted Kurt Lee Arendse’s try which proved to be decisive as Samurai held on to claim a second Safari Sevens crown.

To reach the final, Samurai saw off national Sevens Circuit champions Homeboyz 19-0 and followed it up with a 15-7 victory against Morans, Kenya’s second string national team.

Shujaa qualified for the final after thrashing Red Wailers 38-7 before earning a hard fought 31-26 win over Spain in the semi finals.

Against Spain, the home side left it late, scoring an extra-time try through Harold Anduvate to storm into the final after the match had ended 26-26 in regulation time.

The Spaniards drew first blood when Santiago De Rafael converted Lucas Martinez’ try before Shujaa took control of the match courtesy of two quick converted  tries by Daniel Taabu and Leonard Mugaisi.

Spain levelled the scores on the stroke of halftime through Diaz Camarerro before Taabu sealed his brace to send his side 21-14 up.

A 26-all stalemate at the end of regulation time forced the match to head to sudden death where Shujaa sealed the win after Spain had been temporarily reduced to six men following  Diaz Alberto’s dismissal.

Meanwhile, Kenya Morans finished third after seeing off Spain 12-5 in the third place play-off courtesy of tries by Mark Kwemoi and Samuel Motari.

Portugal settled for sixth place after thrashing Homeboyz 31-5 as Red Wailers beat Namibia 43-7 to claim seventh position.

Mwamba’s 17-12 win over Apache aided them to a ninth place finish.

Emerging Uganda finished last after going down 22-15 to compatriots Uganda Sevens.

Kenya Lionesses won the women’s title with a 45-0 thumping of  Uganda’s Lady Cranes.

Kenya Club Select won Bronze, thanks to a 20-0 triumph over Uganda’s second string team, Emerging Cranes.