Kenya Lionesses rekindled their hope for boarding that flight to Madrid, Spain by reaching the cup quarterfinal of the third and final tournament of this year’s World Rugby Challenger Series hosted by Poland in Krakow. 

Although Kenya finished third in Pool C, they qualified as the third-best placed team and Uganda who were fourth. Their next challenge is against a solid Argentina side who topped  Pool B unbeaten ahead of Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Paraguay. 

Kenya narrowly beat Poland 21-19 in their first match Natalia Pamieta broke the deadlock with a try for Poland in the first minute and Julia Druzgala converted. Naomi Amuguni replied with a try for Kenya which Sinaida Nyachio converted to level the scores 7-7. 

When Sharon Auma crossed the line and Nyachio added the extras, the pendulum was in Kenya’s favor. The 14-7 lead was short-lived because Katarzyana Paszczyk dotted down and Drugzala was sure to level the scores 14-14. 

The lead changed hands for the third time when Edith Nariaka replied with a try and Nyachio converted. Pamieta replied for Poland but Ilona Zaisliuc missed the conversion to give Kenya the win. 

Bounced back

They were unable to breach the Belgium defense in the second match losing 0-22 before bouncing back to beat Mexico 29-7 in the third match. In this match, Kenya bounced back from a false start when they allowed Maria Fernanda Tovar to score the opening try and Aimee Ramos converted. 

When Daniela Alvarado was sent to the naughty chair, Kenya used the numerical advantage to reply with a try by Maureen Muriru. Nyachio missed the conversion. Judith Akumu added two tries while Stella Wafula and Freshia Oduor scored one each. Nyachio converted one try by Okumu. 

After winning against Mexico, Kenya had to wait for the result of the final Pool C match between Belgium and Poland. A win by Belgium could have knocked out the hosts from the cup quarter final. Poland raced to a 14-0 lead before Belgium clawed back but lost the steam and the match 19-24.  

Uganda scrape through

Uganda scrapped to the final eight after a slow start that saw them narrowly lose to Uruguay 14-14 in their opening match and edge out Papua New Guinea 27-26 in the second before being blown away 31-20 by Argentina.   

China, who flew into Poland as the top seeds, won all their Pool A matches against Czechia, Honk Kong China and Thailand to cement their place at the top. While China and Argentina are likely to finish top of the pack and book their place in the play-off in Madrid, Spain, the next two slots could go to the next two could go to Belgium, Uganda, Kenya and Poland. 

Kenya Lionesses: Sheila Chajira (captain), Judith Okumu, Christabel Lindo, Stella Wafula, Naomi Amuguni, Terry Ayesa, Sharon Auma, Sinaida Nyachio, Phoebe Akinyi, Maureen Muritu, Freshia Oduor, Edith Nariaka.

Day one results and draw for the second day in Krakow, Poland       

Pool A: China, Czechia, Hong Kong China, Thailand

China 24 Czechia 12, Thailand 33 Hong Kong China 12, Thailand 10 Czechia 26,  China 34 Hong Kong China 0, Hong Kong China 0 Czechia 36, China 34 Thailand 5. 

Pool B: Argentina, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Uganda

Uganda 14 Paraguay 17, Argentina 25 Papua New Guinea 5, Uganda 27 Papua New Guinea 26, Argentina 29 Paraguay 7, Paraguay 31 Papua New Guinea 10, Argentina 31 Uganda 20.

Pool C: Belgium, Kenya, Mexico, Poland.

Poland 19 Kenya 21, Belgium 38 Mexico 0, Poland 55 Mexico 0, Belgium 22 Kenya 0, Kenya 29 Mexico 7, Belgium 19 Poland 24.  

Order of play on Sunday, May 19: 

Cup quarters: Argentina v Kenya, Poland v Czechia, China v Uganda, Paraguay v Belgium. 

Ninth place semi-final: Papua New Guinea v Hong Kong China, Thailand v Mexico.

Standing after two tournaments

China 40 (270), Argentina 34 (147), Belgium 26 (106), Uganda 28 (-68), Kenya 24 (23), Poland 22 (103), Thailand 18 (28), Hong Kong China 11 (-48), Czechia 9 (-25), Paraguay (6 (-136), Papua New Guinea 5 (-88), Mexico 3 (-312). 

Draw for the playoff in Madrid, Spain

Women

Pool A: Japan. Spain, Challenger 1, Challenger 4.

Pool B: Brazil, South Africa, Challenger 2, Challenger 3.