Kenya 7s played to a 19-19 draw with World 7s Series defending Champions Australia in a Dubai 7s Pool A match played at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
Both sides have two points each from the draw while Great Britain are top in the Pool with three points.
Kenya put problems aside
Despite a lot of issues off the pitch, Shujaa seemed to put their problems behind them early in the game and three minutes into the game, they were 14-0 up.
First it was Herman Humwa who bulldozed his way off a ruck in Aussies zone and crossed over for the opener. The try was converted for a 7-0 lead.
Shujaa were at it again when Billy Odhiambo had a break in the middle and raced on for a centre post try that was converted for a 14-0 lead.
Josh Turner pulled back for the log leaders and Kenya held on for a seven point lead till halftime.
In the final half, Australia trimmed the gap further with Henry Paterson who scored under the posts for a converted try.
Shujaa fought on and Willy Ambaka beat Maurice Longbottom on the right side and raced to score a try that restored the lead.
Longbottom pulled back for his side leveling the scores at 19-19 and the scoresheet would change further with Kenya being forced to defend for their lives in the closing minutes. Kenya will now play South Africa at 14:20 East African Time.
Uganda were narrowly edged 10-7 by France in their opener with Aaron Grandidier and Theo Forner scoring later in the match to cancel Aaron Ofoyrwoth fourth minute try.
Argentina handed New Zealand a 31-28 defeat with Tobias Wade, German Schulz, Luciano Gonzalez, Agustin Fraga and Franco Rossetto crossing over for tries that cancelled Joe Webber, Akuila Rokolisoa, Moses Leo and Brady Rush tries.
Viwa Naduvalo and Paula Nayacakalou double and more tries from Pilipo Bukayaro, Manueli Maisamoa, Waisea Nacuqu, and Tira Wilagi ensured that Fiji picked a 52-0 win over newbies Uruguay in their first match. This was the biggest win of the first round.
South Africa once again fell to Great Britain, this time round losing 14-5. Freddie Roddick and Robbie Fergusson raced over tries that were enough to put them above SA who scored through JC Pretorius.
Samoa and USA also picked wins.
Dubai 7s playing schedule (Timings in EAT)
Friday 2 December
Ireland 21-21 Spain
USA 19-14 Canada
France 10-7 Uganda
Samoa 38-17 Japan
Argentina 31-28 New Zealand
Fiji 52-0 Uruguay
South Africa 7-14 Great Britain
Australia 19-19 Kenya 7s
USA vs Japan-12:05
Samoa vs Canada 7s- 12:27
Argentina vs Uruguay – 12:49
Fiji vs New Zealand – 13:11
Ireland vs Uganda -13:36
France vs Spain – 13:58
South Africa vs Kenya 7s- 14:20
Australia vs Great Britain -14:42
Samoa vs USA- 17:06
Canada vs Japan – 17:28
Spain vs Uganda -18:07
New Zealand vs Uruguay- 18:34
France vs Ireland -18:35
Fiji vs Argentina – 19:05
Great Britain vs Kenya 7s- 19:18
Australia vs South Africa – 19:33
Saturday 3 December
9TH PLACE QUARTER FINAL
3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C -08:00
3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool A- 08:22
3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool B- 08:44
3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D- 09:06
CUP QUARTER FINALS
1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C- 09:28
1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool A- 09:50
1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool B- 10:12
1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D- 10:34
13TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M25 vs Loser M26- 11:32
Loser M27 vs Loser M28- 11:54
9TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Winner M25 vs Winner M26- 12:16
Winner M27 vs Winner M28- 12:38
5TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M29 vs Loser M30- 12:30
Loser M31 vs Loser M32- 12:52
CUP SEMI FINALS
Winner M29 vs Winner M30- 13:17
Winner M31 vs Winner M32- 13:39
13TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M33 vs Winner M34- 15:24
9TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M35 vs Winner M36- 15:46
5TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M37 vs Winner M38- 15:54
BRONZE FINAL
Loser M40 vs Loser M39- 17:07
CUP FINAL
Winner M40 vs Winner M39- 18:26
