Kenya 7s finished 12th in the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 after losing 26-19 to the USA in the 11th place playoffs played on Sunday at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Kenya opened the scoring immediately after kickoff when Vincent Onyala crossed over the whitewash. Sammy Oliech added the extras for a 7-0 lead
Shujaa failed to hold the momentum and they soon paid for it when USA responded with a try of their own. Lucas Lacamp explored a gap in Shujaas defence, to race and score. Steve Tomasin added the extras to tie the game at 7-7 heading into the break.
Shujaa would once again go into the lead after the resumption of the second half when skipper Nelson Oyoo paced past USA defence and tackle to score. Oliech was once again sure with the boots for 14-7 Shujaa lead.
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The lead was once again cut short when Terry Baker found Malacchi Esdale high up the wing who used the overload advantage to score a converted to the scores to 14-14.
Baker turned provider to score when his pace proved too much to handle for the Shujaa defence, scoring two quick tries to stretch USA’ lead.
His first try was converted by Tomasin, who failed to convert the second, the scores now reading 26-14
Kenya would revive their hope of a comeback deep into the game when Onyala paced past USA defence to set up Jeffery Okwach who scored Kenya’s third try of the game. Oliech missed the extras to end the game 26-19.
