Singapore 7s: Shujaa miss Main Cup quarters after USA defeat in nail-biting clash

RUGBY Singapore 7s: Shujaa miss Main Cup quarters after USA defeat in nail-biting clash

Imran Otieno • 08:00 - 08.04.2023

Damian McGrath's side opened the leg with a 26-19 defeat to France.

Kenya 7s suffered another agonizing defeat at the Singapore Sevens as a failed conversion saw them fall 21-19 to the USA in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series which saw them miss on crucial points of the Main Cup.

Shujaa posted a wobbly start as they coughed up the ball when Nelson Oyoo had a clear sight of the try box as a Brian Tanga pass bounced off his chest.

The USA capitalized on Shujaa’s frailties as Kevon Williams offloaded a brilliant switch pass to the pacey Perry Baker who went on a lung-bursting run from his own half to touch down as Stephen Tomasin converted the try.

Another poor restart cost Kenya as Lucas Lacamp weaved his way through the Shujaa defensive line to touch down with Tomasin adding the extras again for a 14-0 lead.

What Kevon Williams can do, Brian Tanga can do better as his switch pass caved open the USA defense to allow Nelson Oyoo to touch down with Tony Omondi converting the try as they went into the break trailing 14-7.

Shujaa picked up from where they left off in the second half as Jeff Oluoch who recently graduated from the police academy found Alvin Otieno on the left flank to touch down with Omondi leveling the scores with his conversion.

After some good defense, Kenya’s resistance finally crumbled under the frenetic pace of Perry Baker who broke free using his sheer pace and pressed on the afterburners as Tomsin again converted for a 21-14 lead.

Alvin Otieno showed a clean pair of heels but did not have enough gas to cross the whitewash but George Ooro recycled possession to land a try at the depth but Omondi missed the conversion to see Kenya narrowly lose 21-19.