A dominant Kenya Lionesses ran out 21-5 victors in their WXV 3 shootout with Colombia, ending a three-game losing streak and securing their spot in next season’s competition.
A draw would have been enough to assure Africa’s place in the third level, but a brace from Sharon Auma and six points from the boot of Ann Ochieng, including the first drop goal of the entire WXV, was enough to overcome Juliana Soto’s runaway score.
Having been defeated by just a single point in their only previous meeting, Kenya came out with a vengeance and executed their game plan to perfection in the first forty.
Opening the scoring after six minutes they swung the ball from left to right, Sharon Auma crossing effortlessly in the right-hand corner.
An overpowering scrum kept Kenya firmly in the ascendency and denied Colombia any significant ball. Las Tucanes fought hard to prevent a second try, a knock on from Judith Okumu a yard short of the line saving their blushes.
But Ochieng, who kicked to great effect throughout the game, opted to drop a rare goal on 20 minutes, keeping the heat on Colombia and moving the lead to 8.
Simple handling errors hampered any chance of Las Tucanes getting a foothold into the game and Kenya took full advantage, a 23rd minute try for Rose Otieno, reaching over her head to dot down, further establishing their lead.
Colombia’s only saving grace came against the run of play, a Kenyan mistake releasing Soto to run the length of the pitch.
But that score was nullified just three minutes later, Auma’s second in the same corner extending Kenya’s lead to 18-5 at the break.
A positive start for Colombia in the second half saw them move towards the Kenyan line inch by inch, but valiant defence and Ochieng’s exit extinguished the pressure.
Las Tucanes scrambled in the final quarter but couldn’t add any points to the scoreboard as the handling errors mounted up, Ochieng’s 75th-minute penalty confirming Kenya’s first WXV 3 victory.
This loss means Colombia now face a relegation play-off for their WXV 3 future.
