- Kenya was beaten by Scotland in the fifth place semi
- The team will now switch attention to the LA Sevens
- The Sevens World Cup is scheduled for September
Kenya Sevens’ hopes of finishing their Commonwealth Games campaign on a high was thwarted after losing the fifth place semi-final 22-12 to Scotland.
Shujaa had put on a gallant fight to battle from 10-0 down to lead 12-10, but a lapse in concentration in the final one minute of the game saw them concede two tries, ending their hopes of a strong finish.
Scotland dotted down a try in the final 30 seconds of the game after turning over possession. Harvey Elms found some space in between Alvin Otieno and skipper Nelson Oyo to dodge in and cross over, putting Kenya’s second half fight to the dagger.
But, Shujaa still had some hope if they won the restart as they would have won the game with a converted try. However, substitute Kevin Wekesa couldn’t hold on to the kick from Scotland and Ross McCann sneaked in to pick the ball and speed off into the try box, effectively winning the game for the Scots.
Kenya off on a low start
Shujaa head coach Damian McGrath. PHOTO/Team Kenya
Shujaa had started the game on a low, and Scotland punished their mistakes especially on the breakdown.
Jordan Edmunds broke the deadlock with a try off on the right after the side turned over possession with a penalty and the ball swung to the left. Edmunds managed to speed away and despite Alvin Otieno’s late attempt to drag him down, still managed to go over the whitewash.
Another quick turn of play from the breakdown gifted Kaleem Barreto with their second try as the Scots went to the break with a comfortable 10-0 lead as both tries were not converted.
Shujaa however came back an improved side in the second half and they halved the deficit when Oyoo dotted down. A quick start to a penalty saw the skipper sight some running space. He took on his trademark kick and manage to grease through three tackles before dotting down on the left.
Shujaa went into the lead minutes later when Daniel Taabu dotted down a beautiful try. Shujaa won a penalty and elected to go for a scrum. Taabu won the ball under the legs of his Kenyan forwards before sneaking on the blind side, driving through the middle with the conversion going in for a 12-10 lead.
But, the Kenyan boys could not keep possession on the restart and were punished by the Scots.
Shujaa shift attention to World Cup
Shujaa hurdle together during a match at the Commonwealth Games. PHOTO/Team Kenya
The team now shifts their attention to the Los Angeles Sevens and the Sevens World Cup scheduled for September in Cape Town, South Africa.
Head coach Damian McGrath says; “We have picked our lessons and we will definitely want to do better. We are a work in progress and between now and the World Cup, we will work on what we need to improve.”
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