Kenya’s Shujaa made a strong second-half rally but fell short losing 14-21 to Hong Kong China in the semi-final of the World Rugby Challenge Series.

It was Hong Kong China who were quick off the starting blocks with Cidi Lee scoring a brace. Hugo Stiles converted for a 14-0 lead as Shujaa soaked up the pressure.

Lameck Ambetsa pulled one back for Kenya scoring under the posts after a powerful run by Kevin Wakesa and Vincent Onyala. The conversion by Anthony Omondi narrowed the lead to 14-7 in Hong Kong China’s favor. 

The die appeared cast when Callum Mccullough raced over and Stiles converted to stretch the lead 21-7. But a late surge saw Salem Odoyo reply for Shujaa and Omondi slotted the conversion with barely one minute left on the dial. The scores remained 21-14 at the final gong.

Shujaa and Chile meet in the playoff, unlike in Dubai when they faced off in the final. Hosts Uruguay who edged out Chile 10-7 in the other semi-final face Hong Kong China in the final.

Women’s final

The women’s final will be between Argentina and China. Argentina comprehensively beat Belgium 35-5 while China overcame Uganda’s Lady Cranes 26-10. 

A spirited performance by the Lady Cranes in the second half was not enough to deny China a successive final in the women’s World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.

China, who dominated the first half with a flawless performance, won 26-10. The win, with one tournament left, could have cemented China’s qualification for the penultimate tie in Madrid. The Lady Cranes are also gunning for the last dance in Spain. 

Kenya Lionesses finished seventh in Montevideo after losing 22-27 to Hong Kong China. Janet Okello scored two tries while Stella Wafula and Phoebe Otieno added one each.

Results

Women

Pool A: China, Czechia, Paraguay, Poland

Poland 46 Czechia 0, China 29 Paraguay 5, Poland 32 Paraguay 5, China 28 Czechia 15, Czechia 31 Paraguay 7, China 24 Poland 12. 

Pool B: Belgium, Hong Kong, Kenya, Papua New Guinea

Belgium 37 Papua New Guinea 5, Kenya 0 Hong Kong China 12, Belgium 24 Hong Kong China 5, Kenya 29 Papua New Guinea 12, Papua New Guinea 14 Hong Kong China 27, Kenya 5 Belgium 21. 

Pool C: Argentina, Mexico, Thailand, Uganda

Uganda 15 Thailand 5, Argentina 54 Mexico 0, Uganda 48 Mexico 7, Argentina 10 Thailand 7, Thailand 38 Mexico 0, Argentina 21 Uganda 5. 

Cup quarter final: Hong Kong China 17 Uganda 22, China 24 Kenya 7, Argentina 26 Poland 17,  Belgium 17 Thailand 5; Uganda 10 China 26, Argentina 35 Belgium 5; Final: China v Argentina; Play-off: Uganda v Belgium.

5th place play-off: Poland v Thailand.

7th play-off: Hong Kong China 27 Kenya 22. 

9th place semi-final: Papua New Guinea 5 Paraguay 19, Czechia 29 Mexico 0; Paraguay 10 Czechia 7. 

11th play-off: Papua New Guinea 12 Mexico 19.

Men

Pool A: Georgia, Kenya, Portugal, Tonga

Tonga 40 Georgia 5, Kenya 19 Portugal 12, Portugal 17 Tonga 12, Kenya 0 Georgia 17, Georgia 14 Portugal 38. Kenya 17 Tonga 14.

Pool B:  Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico

Hong Kong 42 Japan 7, Chile 48 Mexico 0, Japan 29 Mexico 26, Chile 14 Hong Kong China 19, Hong Kong China 39 Mexico 0, Chile 12 Japan 7.

Pool C: Germany, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Uruguay.

Uganda 17 Germany 14, Uruguay 31 Papua New Guinea 14, PNG 0 Germany 36, Uruguay 21 Uganda 26, 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; Chile 7 Uruguay 10, Kenya 14 Hong Kong China 21; Uruguay v Hong Kong China; Play-off: Chile v Kenya

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 17 Japan 12.

11th place play-off: Papua New Guinea 47 Mexico 12.