Sunday 21 June 2009

Kenya Storm into the Quarters

Hosts Kenya overcame a slow start to sail into the main cup quarter final of the 2009 Tusker Safari Sevens after winning their three pool “A” matches without ever shifting out of gear one.

They began with a 22-5 win over South Africa’s Hamilton Raiders before turning on the style in a 48-0 demolition of neighbours Tanzania. With quarter final qualification already assured, Kenya went on to register the day’s highest score, annihilating Japan 56-0 in a match that they dominated from start to finish, never allowing the Japanese to get a whiff of the Kenyan try line.

The resilient Allan Onyango opened the floodgates when he scored barely two minutes into the match. Lavin Asego’s conversion saw Kenya take a 7-0 lead. Captain Humphrey Khayange powered through the Japan defence to touch down. Asego missed the conversion as Kenya led 12-0. Innocent Simiyu scored Kenya’s third try right from the restart with Asego converting. Kenya 19 Japan 0.

Gibson Weru and Khayange scored two tries in quick succession as Kenya went into the interval with a healthy 29-0.

The second half saw Collins Injera, who had been a largely anonymous fellow in the first half , getting drawn into doing what he does best, scoring tries. He raced past his marker to open his account in this particular game. Asego missed the conversion. Kenya 34 Japan 0.

Substitute Leon Adongo piled on the misery,scoring soon after his introduction into the game. Kenya 39 Japan 0.

Injera and Simiyu completed their braces before Khayange crowned his evening by completing his hat trick. Asego converted to give Kenya a comfortable 56-0 win.