Kenya U20 finished second in the Barthes Cup after a late try that earned them a 21-20 win over Zimbabwe Sables at Old Hararian Club.
This marked Chipu’s second consecutive win over Zim after last season performance which earned them the trophy and a place in World Junior Trophy.
Kenya U20 start
Chipu were quicker to get proceedings going despite early pressure off the kick off, a penalty allowing Chipu to take play onto Zimbabwe territory before an impressive set of phases allowed Daniel Kipchirchir to release Javan Odhiambo on the outside who needed a step inside to score near the corner. Kenya’s attempt at goal off target to make it 5-0 in under three minutes.
Chipu were dominating the physical contests and a sleek backline stretching the Junior Sables at each turn and it would pay off as Javan Odhiambo converted a penalty infront of the uprights to extend their lead to 8-0, as Kenya continued to ramp up the pressure.
The home side would go on to mount pressure on attackonly for a held up call to swing possesion Chipu’s way as the first stanza crossed the halfway mark.
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Zimbabwe’s insistence would finally pay off at the half hour mark, tapping from the penalty before a couple of offloads in the tackle opened space out wide for the Junior Sables to score their first try of the evening, 7-8 in favour of Kenya at this point.
Kenya would pull ahead from the boot of Javan Odhiambo before they were forced to play the rest of the first half with a two man numerical disadvantage as they suffered a second yellow card, holding on to go into the breather with a four point advantage, the home side trailing 7-11.
The Sables capitalised on the numerical advantage immediately off the restart, scoring at the corner in the opening minute to take a 12-11 lead just as Kenya got a man back from the sin bin. The home side extended their lead moments later, scoring a long ranger off scrum play to make it 17-11 just as the Kenyan squad got back to full compliment.
Another three pointer by the home team made for party fuel at the Old Hararians and just as they were about to write off the visitors, Kenya would hit back through Kipchirchir who capitalised on his pace and strength to power over the white chalk, the resulting attempt at goal barely making it over the cross bar to make it a two point game, scores now 20-18.
A kick at goal from the 40 meter mark by Kenya would set up the contest for a tense ending with less than three minutes left to play.
A resolute defence would win Chipu an attacking scrum to allow Juma to kick out the ball for a 20-21 win for Kenya.
