Grace Okullo bag hattrick as Kenya Lionesses secured their first win in Cape Town, defeating Samoa 20-5 in the Challenger Series.
Kenya Lionesses vs Manu Samoa
Kenya started the match with Grace Okullo taking the kickoff. Early in the game, Samoa was reduced to six players following an infringement.
The Lionesses earned a scrum that stretched Samoa’s defense, but Sharon Auma knocked the ball forward, momentarily giving away possession. However, Kenya quickly regained control through a turnover.
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Maintaining pressure in Samoa’s half, the Lionesses found their breakthrough when Grace Okullo crossed the try line for the opening score, making it 5-0 after a missed conversion.
Samoa faced another setback as they received a second yellow card, leaving them short-handed once again. Kenya capitalized on the advantage, with Okullo taking a quick tap near the try line and diving over for her second try, extending the lead to 10-0 before halftime.
In the second half, Samoa responded through playmaker Malia Nikalau, who powered through two defenders to score, narrowing the gap to 10-5.
Kenya continued to dominate, pulling the Samoan defense toward the midfield and creating space for Naomi Amuguni, who stretched the lead to 15-5 with a well-placed try.
Okullo then sealed the victory, completing her hat trick with a 16-meter run off a scrum, securing a final score of 20-5.
The Lionesses now top Pool D and will face Poland in their next fixture.
