Heartbreak for Kenya as Zimbabwe retain U-20 Barthes Trophy

Kenya's Iddo Kuta (left) and Eugene Etale tackle Zimbabwe's Dion Khumalo during Trophy Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy at Nyayo National stadium.[Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyans were left heartbroken on Sunday after the national U20 rugby men's team Chipu lost to 14-man Zimbabwe 28-7 in the finals of the Barthes U20 Trophy played at Nyayo Stadium.

Edward Sigauke landed the first try for the champions who took a 7-0 lead a few minutes after the kick off before Simbarashe Kanyangarara made it 14-0 moments later.

Laban Kipsang cut the gap to 14-7 as Kenya responded but the Zimbabweans went to the break with a 14 point lead after Alex Nyamunda's touch down.

In the final half, Zimbabwe were reduced to 14 men after Zuvunda Gutu was shown a straight red card.

Howvere, the numerical disadvantage did little to harm the visitors who sealed the win with a late try from Sigauke who bagged a brace.

Despite the loss, Kenya and Zimbabwe both qualify for the World Rugby U20 Trophy. Kenya qualified by virtue of being hosts.

The World Rugby U20 Trophy is slated for July 15 in Nairobi and will bring together Scotland, Hong Kong and Samoa among other teams

Chipu kicked off their title chase with a commanding 44-20 win over Uganda in the quarter-finals last weekend.

They went ahead to edge out archrivals Namibia 24-13 in the semis.