RUGBY Kenya knocked out of World Rugby U20 Trophy title contention following Spain loss

In the seventh minute, Chipu scored a try courtesy of George Otieno as Faran Juma successfully converted to place Kenya seven points ahead of Spain.

The national rugby Under 20 side, Chipu, have yet again succumbed, losing 18-48 to Spain at the ongoing World Rugby U20 Trophy staged at the Nyayo National Stadium. 

The results means that Spain and Samoa have sailed to the quarter-finals of the tournament as Kenya will have to contest for placement playoffs depending on their Pool B finish. 

The game started off with less tension with both sides showing their prowess and managing the field extensively. After three minutes, Spain made efforts to land a try but it proved impossible as Chipu’s defense was up to the task.

In the seventh minute, Chipu scored a try courtesy of George Otieno as Faran Juma successfully converted to place Kenya seven points ahead of Spain. Spain then charged up and secured a try in the 21st minute and converted successfully to tie the scores.

The Kenyan youngsters regained their lead courtesy of a successful try by 19-year-old Geylord Ngasi who scored in the 26th minute. Unfortunately for Kenya, the conversion was unsuccessful.

Spain did not seem to be impressed by Chipu’s flair and decided to put a show and score another try, however, the conversion was also unsuccessful. The scores were now reading 12-12.

In the 32nd minute, Diego Gonzalez' trickery saw him manage to score another try. Kenya were then awarded a penalty which added three points to their scores. At the half-time break, the scores were reading 17-15.

After the halftime break, Spain came out guns blazing, and in the 47th minute, they scored another try which was successfully converted to take the scores to 24-15. 

Chipu were now trailing by nine points but Spain did not relent as they meant business when they scored another successive try courtesy of Eloy de la Pisa which was successfully converted. 

The scores were now reading 31-15. The Spaniards did not take their foot off the gas they widened the gap by scoring a try courtesy of Javier López de Haro who also successfully converted. At this juncture, Chipu had no choice but to ensure they score next since the gap was widening at a faster rate. 

They were awarded a penalty which was successful from the trusted boot of Faran Juma, adding three points to place the score 38-18, with Kenya behind. Spain then capitalized on another chance and scored another try but it was unsuccessfully converted. 

The pressure was intensifying as Kenya were behind but all hope seemed to be lost as Spain added another successful try from a charge down that came straight from the restart to get them to 48 points.