Kenya U20 rugby defeated Namibia U20 34-28 in their opening game of the Barthes Trophy staged at Harare, Zimbabwe.
Kenya U20 were first on the scoreboard when Patrick Wainaina slotted in a penalty for an early 3-0 lead. Namibia U20 responded minutes later with a penalty goal from Petrus Tromp to draw level.
Kenya u20 first try
Michael Wamalwa got Kenya’s first try when he crossed from close range to extend Chipu’s lead to 8-3. Conversion attempt by Patrick Wainaina went wide. Solid defensive display by Chipu made it hard for Namibia to get over the advantage line. Chipu would get a scrum penalty but attempt by Wainaina to go for goal proved futile.
Chipu would land their second try off a counter attack inspired by James Olela scored by Eugene Etale. James Olela converted the try to give Chipu a 15-3 lead. Petrus Tromp scored a penalty goal for Namibia U20 to cut the deficit to 15-6.
Chipu got their third try through Eugene Ojiambo after Ojiambo pounced on a loose ball before outpacing his chasers to dot down Kenya’s third try. Jackson Siketi missed the conversion. Just before the halftime break, James Olela extended Chipu’s lead to 23-6 after landing a penalty goal.
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In the second 40, Namibia U20 were on the verge of pulling a remarkable come back. With them trailing 23-6 at halftime, they found themselves trailing 26-23 on the 70th minute. Arnold Combrinck scored Namibia’s first try to take the scores to 23-11. Olela responded after he booted a penalty goal to extend Chipu’s lead to 26-11.
Namibia respond
Namibia U20 would land another try in the corner after a quick string of passes from their backline found their winger unmarked and he dived over. Namibia U20 got another unconverted try before James Olela scored another penalty goal for Chipu to take the scores to 29-23.
Namibia U20 got another try through Armand Combrinck off the back of a rolling maul to take the scores to 29-28 with 2 minutes to play. Chipu would land the winning try just on the stroke of full-time to win the game 34-28.
