Kenya 7s bag five points in Hong Kong Sevens

Fiji celebrate after winning the Cup final against France on the Third day at the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament on April 7, 2019. [AFP]

Kenya’s campaign in the Hong Kong Sevens was brought to an end by Japan at the Challenge Trophy semi-finals as the Asians handed Shujaa a 21-12 beating yesterday.

As a result, the Paul Murunga-coached side collected five points at the tournament, the below-par performance further deepening their relegation worries.

Over the three days, Kenya, who had bolstered their squad with a host of experienced faces, struggled in finding their footing with their inability to retain possession from kick-offs as well as poor tackling being evident as has been the case all through the campaign.

Shujaa’s only win in Hong Kong came in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals when they scored three unanswered tries and two conversions to brush aside Canada 19-0.

This would see the side set up the meeting with Japan in the Challenge Trophy semi-finals. 

It was the Japanese who drew first blood with Kazushi Hano being fed with a superb offload to cross the whitewash for a try which was converted by Katsuyuki Sakai. 

Augustine Lugonzo reduced the deficit for Kenya on the stroke of halftime.