Kenya Lionesses hopes of making it to Women’s Rugby World Cup have been dealt a major blow after they went down 29-22 to hosts Madagascar in Rugby Africa Women’s Cup tournament going on in Madagascar.
The Kenya Lionesses started strongly pinning the hosts in their own 22. The resultant pressure saw the Lionesses go over through Terry Ayesa. Jane Ochieng converted Ayesa’s try to give Kenya Lionesses a 7-0 lead.
Kenya Lionesses try
Moments later, Lionesses got their second try when Diana Awino went over in the corner after being unleashed in space by Diana Omoso. Conversion attempt went wide.
Madagascar started to claw back into the game slowly, troubling the Lionesses defense with their offloading game. The Lionesses had done well to contain them earlier on, but Madagascar somehow found a way to outwit the visitors. A lapse in concentration in Kenya’s defense saw Madagascar get their first try of the game from a quick tap and go. Kenya went into the halftime break leading 12-5.
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In the second half, Madagascar scored three tries to conjure up their first win against Kenya since 2021. Madagascar would cut the deficit early on after the halftime break when they went over the whitewash to bring the scores to 12-10. Minutes later, Lionesses responded with a try from Rose Otieno to extend their lead to 17-10. Conversion attempt went wide.
Kenya Lionesses fightback
Madagascar would then score two quick tries that saw them lead 22-17. Kenya Lionesses fought back and got an unconverted try to tie the scores to 22-22. At the tail end of the match, the Lionesses had pitched camp in Madagascar territory but they would loose possession to the hosts.
After a brief interchange of play, Madagascar would score a try at the death to grab their first win of the tournament. The Lionesses will face of with rivals South Africa in their next match before playing Cameroon in their last match of the tourney on Sunday 12, 2024.
