Dubai Challenger Series: Kenya Lionesses sweep China aside in opener
By Joel Sang, January 12, 2024
Kenya Lionesses opened their Dubai Challenger Series with a 17-12 win over China on Friday, January 12, 2024.
The win from the tight encounter at the Sevens Stadium means the Lionesses have started their promotion campaign on a high.
Keyi Chen scored the opening try for China, with Kenya looking quite unsettled in the opening minutes. Her conversion gave the Far East nation a rather deserved 7-0 lead before the halftime break.
Unlike how they performed in the first half, Kenya were solid and quite ambitious in attacking as they pressed the opponents in the opening minutes of the second half.
It was Grace Adhiambo who scored Kenya’s opening try, and her successful conversion brought the score to par.
Kenya’s renewal
With Kenya playing with renewed effort and urgency, they scored the second try courtesy of Stellah Wafula, and Adhiambo’s consequent conversion meant Kenya took the lead with a 12-7 margin.
China tried to fight back against the resurgent East Africans and managed one try that they were unable to convert.
A final try from Judith Akumu restored Kenya’s lead, but a missed conversion from Adhiambo meant Kenya eventually settled for a 17-12 victory.
With the opening points, Kenya are in position two, while Czechia are in position one courtesy of a 34-0 win over Mexico in their group game.
The next game between the two top nations later on in the group is promising to be a mouthwatering one. The Lionesses will complete their preliminary stage matches on Saturday morning.