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The Nairobian

Poor Shujaa drop to Challenge Trophy at Vancouver Sevens

Rugby

By Washington Onyango | Apr 17, 2022

Kenya Sevens have failed to go through to the quarterfinals for the fourth time in a row after dropping to the Challenge Trophy at the sixth leg of the World Sevens Rugby leg, Vancouver Sevens in Canada.

Last week, Kenya also dropped to Challenge Trophy at the previous leg of Singapore Sevens where they lost in the semi-finals to collect five points from the Series.

Shujaa lost their two Group A matches against immediate Singapore Sevens Champions Olympic champions Fiji and England to miss out on the quarters.

Despite kicking off the pool matches with an inspiring 19-17 win against United States of America, Kenya went down to Fiji 38-7 before losing to England 19-12.

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In the opening kickoff match against USA on Saturday night, Kabras Sugar’s Kevin Wekesa touched down to give Shujaa a 7-5 lead after cancelling out Malachi Esdale’s touchdown inside the opening two minutes.

Dubbed the next Andrew Amonde, Wekesa bagged his second try of the game to extend Kenya’s lead to 12-5 at the breather.

In the final half, a resurgent USA side came out guns blazing as they led 17-12 through Kevon Williams and Ben Broselle’s tries before Bush Mwale sealed Kenya’s first win with a late try to win 19-17.

In the second match, Alvin Marube scored the only try for Kenya as Innocent Simiyu’s charges suffered a humiliating 38-7 defeat at the hands of Tokyo Olympic gold medalists Fiji.

Wekesa and Mwale returned to the score sheet in game three against England but it would not be enough as Kenya lost 19-12 to the Englishmen.

Fiji also beat England 27-12 and USA 33-12 to finish top of the group unbeaten.

Interestingly, Kenya, USA and England all finished with five points with one win each but it's England, who claimed the last slot for the main Cup on better aggregate.

USA edged out England 20-19 but their efforts proved futile after their losses to Kenya and Fiji.

Kenya Sevens will now meet Ireland in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals at 7.44pm on Sunday.