Inglorious Shujaas poor show at Paris

The 2016/17 HSBC Sevens Series has seen Kenya post deplorable results since the first round in Dubai.

As the curtains fell after a two-day action in Paris, Innocent Simiyu’s men earned just a point after winning only one match and losing four times.

Kenya was humbled 14-20 by the hosts in their first match, but won 26-14 to low-keyed Spanish side. A 12-12 score line with England in their final group C fixture saw local boys relegated to compete for the Challenge Trophy for the seventh time this campaign.

It was a bad day for the Kenyans after losing 12-7 to Argentina in the Trophy’s quarterfinals. This meant that last year’s Singapore Sevens winners were to contend for the 13th and 14th slots-lowest that they have gone this season.

Matters moved from worse to worst after losing to Russians 15-7, despite having an early lead.

The single win against Spain, saw Kenya bag a point and to sit twelfth on the log with 58 points.

South Africa registered a 15-5 win over Scotland, to win their fifth title in eight finals. The Blitzbokkes who have had an impeccable campaign top the chart with 179 points, England is second with 145 points while Olympic Champions Fiji come in third position.

Last season’s exploits are now hard to come by for the Simiyu-coached side.

Shujaas, who finished seventh last campaign with 98 points, can only attain 80 points this term; given they lift the cup in London this coming weekend.

Focus now shift to London for the final round of the season. An uphill task awaits Kenya who face five-time champions this season South Africa, USA and Wales in pool A

 Here are all the pools:

POOL A

South Africa

USA

Wales

Kenya

POOL B

Scotland

France

Argentina

Russia

POOL C

New Zealand

Fiji

Canada

Japan

POOL D

England

Samoa

Australia

Spain