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Kenya through to Cup quarters in Singapore


Kenya Sevens will be out to exalt revenge on France when the two sides meet on Sunday in the Cup quarterfinals of the Singapore Sevens.

Kenya were once again lucky to sneak through to the Cup quarters after losing their last Pool “C” match 14-0 to South Africa on Saturday at the National Stadium, Singapore.

Having beaten Russia 21-7 before drawing with Scotland 12-12 in Pool “C” in the day, Kenya failed to go past their continental rivals but sneaked through on points difference.

Scotland, who had lost to South Africa 33-0 before beating Russia 36-17 in their last pool match, finished third while Russia wound last in the group.

Kenya now meet Pool “B” winners France in a Cup quarterfinals match where Benjamin Ayimba’s charges will be seeking revenge.

Kenya lost to the Frenchmen 24-21 when they met last time out in Bowl quarterfinals at Canada Sevens.

The two teams had met earlier in the Bowl semis in Dubai and the Cup play-offs in Cape Town with France prevailing on both occasions – 33-7 and 28-26 respectively.

SWEET REVENGE

It’s Kenya’s sixth Cup quarterfinals, having only managed to reach the Cup semi-finals once in Cape Town.

South Africa were astute at their breakdowns in the Kenyan half. Cecil Afrika, with his trademark burst, staged some good exchange with Justin Geduld before laying Seabelo Senatla to score for a 7-0 at the break.

Mistakes at the breakdowns saw Kenya concede many penalties as Blitzbokke cashed on it with Senatla finishing after some good spadework from Afrika.

Kenya Sevens started off smoothly, beating Russia 21-7.

Kicker Samuel Oliech converted his own try and those from Humphrey Kayange and William Ambaka as Kenya Sevens saw off the Russians in the early morning clash.

It was sweet revenge over the Russians who had beaten Kenya 24-7 in Shield semi-finals at Canada Sevens.

The Kenya rallied from behind 0-5 to lead 12-5 before sharing the spoils with Scotland, a result that saw the two teams wait until their last pool match to decide who sails through to the Cup quarters.

Kenya is currently placed eighth in the World Rugby Sevens Series standings with two more legs to go in Paris and London next month.