Kenya 7s outscore Japan to reach Dubai Challenger Series semis

Kenya 7s booked a semi-final spot in the ongoing Dubai Challenger Series after a hard-fought 21-19 victory over Japan on Saturday evening.

Both Japan and Kenya, who faced the same fate after both were relegated from the World 7s last term, aimed for a win in the quarters to boost their hope of progressing to the top four.

Eventually, it was the East Africans who managed the much-needed victory, and the win came after they had suffered their first loss in Dubai after a defeat to Germany.

Meanwhile, it was Japan that scored first when Kippei Tanikana managed an unconverted try for a 5-0 lead.

Kenyans fought back and managed to score through Nygel Amaitsa and an eventual conversion by Anthony Omondi.

The 7-5 lead for Kenya did not last long as the Far East nation responded with an attack that gave them a 12-7 lead courtesy of Yoshihiro Noguchi, who landed a try.

Shujaa were not undone by Japan’s resurgence, as they went on to register a try for a 14-12 lead before a conversion by Omondi.

Kenya stretched the lead to 21-12 following a third try from Odongo and an accompanying successful conversion.

Japan kept fighting, and their fight gave them a try that was scored by Takamasa Maruo, which reduced the Kenyan gap to 21-19.

Shujaa will know their semi-final opponent when a winner emerges in the Tonga-Uruguay contest.

Loss to Germany

Meanwhile, in the quarterfinals, Kenya were defeated by Germany, who emerged as winners following a 24-12 outcome.

Before facing the Europeans, Kenya were enjoying a six-match winning run in the Africa Men’s 7s series before two more wins in the Dubai Challenger.

Kenya faced the Germans in Dubai with a numerical disadvantage after the sin-binning of Kevin Wekesa.

This was a moment that Germany took full advantage of and scored their try through John Dawe.

Shujaa equalised just before the break when Patrick Odongo, at full speed, went on to score the try before a conversion by Anthony Omondi.

Tim Lichtenberg managed to score two tries at the beginning of the second half before Odongo scored and reduced the margin to five points.

A hattrick from Lichtenberg was enough for a 24-12 win for Germany, as Kevin Wambua’s charges suffered their first defeat in the series after their previous wins over China and Uganda.