A relieved Vincent Onyala, the Kenya Sevens captain said the win against Uganda in the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series was reminiscent of the lively Elgon Cup rivalry. “Back at home, we compete for the Elgon Cup” which is always intense.

In an interview after the win, Onyala said Shujaa was keen to go past the semi-final against Hong Kong China and reach the final “to do what we do” on Sunday. “We treat each match as a final,” he added.

Against Uganda, a penalty try for Kenya after a foul on Anthony Omondi by Uganda captain and scrum-half Aaron Oforyworth was the difference as Shujaa edged out their opponents 7-5 to reach the semi-finals.

Philip Wokorach scored at the corner late in the first half but failed to convert as Kenya led 7-5 at half time. The second half was a battle of grit and wit as both teams looked for the winner.

Narrow win

Earlier, Chile narrowly beat Germany 12-7 while hosts Uruguay overcame Portugal 26-7 in the first two quarter final matches.  

Kenya qualified for the cup quarter finals with a narrow 17-12 win over Tonga in their last Pool A match erasing the opening day nightmares. In this match, John Okoth, Nygel Amaitsa and Omondi scored a try each. Omondi kicked over one conversion.

Tonga replied with a try each by Siaosi Huihui and Sione Tupou. Both tries were converted by Semisi Maasi.

Uganda, the other East Africa side completed their Pool C matches by beating Papua New Guinea 22-17. 

Lionesses fall to China

In the women’s category, Kenya Lionesses’ march to the cup semis was halted by China who won 24-7. The Lionesses began the day with a 5-21 loss to Belgium.

Uganda’s Lady Cranes qualified for the semi-finals with an inspiring 22-17 win over Hong Kong China.

Day two results

Women

Pool C: Thailand 38 Mexico 0, Argentina 21 Uganda 5.

Pool B: Papua New Guinea 14 Hong Kong China 27, Kenya 5 Belgium 21.

Pool A: Czechia 31 Paraguay 7, China 24 Poland 12.

Cup quarter final: Hong Kong China 17 Uganda 22, China 24 Kenya 7, Argentina 26 Poland 17,  Belgium 17 Thailand 5; Semi-finals: Uganda v China, Argentina v Belgium.

5th place play-off: Poland v Thailand.

7th place play-off: Hong Kong China v Kenya

9th place semi-final: Papua New Guinea 5 Paraguay 19, Czechia 29 Mexico 0; Paraguay v Czechia. 

11th place play-off: Papua New Guinea v Mexico.

Men

Pool B: Hong Kong China 39 Mexico 0, Chile 12 Japan 7.

Pool A: Georgia 14 Portugal 38. Kenya 17 Tonga 14.

Pool C: Uganda 22 Papua New Guinea 17, Uruguay 19 Germany 26.

Cup quarter-final: Chile 12 Germany 7, Portugal 7 Uruguay 26, Uganda 5 Kenya 7, Hong Kong China 26 Tonga 7; Semi-finals: Chile v Uruguay, Kenya v Hong Kong China. 

5th place play-off: Germany v Uganda.

7th place play-off: Tonga v Portugal.

9th place semi-final: Georgia 26 Papua New Guinea 7, Japan 44 Mexico 0; Georgia v Japan.

11th place play-off: Papua New Guinea v Mexico.