NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 14 – Kenya have qualified for the Main Cup quarter finals of the Cape Town leg of the World Sevens Series after holding on to a frantic end to beat Australia 12-7, their second win in South Africa.
Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno continued in his fine run of form, dotting down the all important try in the second half to hand Shujaa the victory after a 7-7 tie at half time.
The raging bull went on the rampage with a 50m run, using his strong right hand to push away an Australian marker before going all the way to dot down on the left with Daniel Taabu’s conversion being short.
Shujaa had to hold on for dear life in the final minute of the game as Australia won possession and tried to get in a last gasp try, but the hard working Kenyans turned over possession after the Aussies knocked on to get the vital win.
Vincent Onyala had given Shujaa a 5-0 lead before Taabu converted for a 7-0 score, but the Australians responded with Joe Pincus going over the whitewash while Lewis Holland added in the extras.
In the second half, Australia started on the front foot and almost went into the lead, but Nelson Oyoo made a brilliant try-saving tackle on the right to sweep Trae Williams out to touch with the try box a metre away.
And with kenya winning back possession, they were devastating with ball in hand and Otieno raged on for the winning try.
Shujaa who beat Samoa 24-19 on opening day will take on Ireland in their last match of the pool at 5:47pm EAT and will look to pick a win and top the group.
Having progressed to the last eight, Shujaa who picked four points in Dubai last weekend are assured of at least 10 points.
