Kenyan sevens hits all-time high
Sorry guys, a little self-indulgence on my part
Kenyan sevens hits all-time high
Story by ERIC ODANGA in San Diego
Publication Date: 2/12/2008
Kenya stunned England 17-7 at San Diego’s PETCO Park on Sunday in a riveting Main Cup quarter-final match to reach the semi-finals of the USA Sevens, which is the fourth round of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series.
But the win knocked the wind off the Kenyans’ sails as they barely had enough fuel left to tackle New Zealand in the semi-final, losing 50-10 to the eventual tournament champions.
Reigning IRB Sevens Series champions New Zealand beat South Africa 27-12 in a nervy final to take the USA title and open up a massive 32-point lead in the 2007/08 Series.
They are sixth in the standings behind New Zealand (80 points), South Africa (48), Fiji (44), Samoa (38) and Argentina (26).
It was a fulfilling victory for the Virgin Atlantic Airways sponsored team especially after England declined to share a changing room with Kenya on the second day of the USA Seven’s at San Diego’s PETCO Park. Stinking Poms..just as well..
The teams had to settle for a toss, like they do in cricket, which Kenya lost. In meant England kept the changing room and Kenya had to share a changing room with Fiji.
But the move was a blessing in disguise as Kenya emerged 17-7 winners over their more illustrious opponents in the explosive quarter-final match.
“They can keep the changing room,” said Richard Omwela, the Kenya Rugby Football Union chairman who was in San Diego to cheer the team.
Coach Benjamin Ayimba thanked God that Kenya lost the toss and were only happy to share a room with Fiji. “It was not a big issue but unsporting for England especially in a game like rugby,” the coach said.
New Zealand defeated South Africa 27-12 in the main cup final to open up a 32-point lead. In beating Kenya, New Zealand rewrote the record books to reach 35 successive victories beating a six-year old record of 34 they held.
