Kenya Sevens’ dreams of making the Hong Kong Sevens quarterfinals were shattered on Saturday morning after losing to France 14-7 in a penultimate final Group C match played at the Kai Tak Stadium.
Despite an improved performance where they secured a win and two losing bonus points, Shujaa fell short of the quarterfinals after Spain’s victory over Great Britain.
Shujaa had picked up four points on Friday after a stunning 19-0 victory over the series’ second-best team, Spain, and narrowly losing to Great Britain 12-7, keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive.
However, they needed a positive result against France to progress to the Cup quarters for the first time this season.
Instead, it was the French who had the last laugh, picking a narrow 7-0 halftime lead in the match after Simon Désert broke through on the left flank to score a converted try.
Kenya responded in the second half, with Patrick Odongo spotting a gap and racing through for a center-post try, which was converted to level the scores at 7-7. It was Odongo’s 17th try of his debut season at the HSBC SVNS.
A series of attacks followed as Shujaa hunted a winner. However, a costly mistake allowed the French to score at the death with Mateo Garcia finishing off a kick and chase ball as the defending World Rugby Sevens champions picked up an important 14-7 win.
The defeat left Kenya bottom of Group C with five points same as France, who make the quarters courtesy of finishing third.
Spain saw off Great Britain 26-12 to finish top with six points same as the British, who make the last eight by finishing second.
Kenya will now play USA in the ninth-place semifinal from 11.15 am.
Shujaa’s failure to make the semis of the Main Cup means their chances of avoiding the relegation playoffs set for May in Los Angeles are impossible.
Kenya, who were promoted back to the HSBC SVNS series last year will have to prepare for another fight to avoid the drop.
The SVNS Play Off competition will see teams ranked ninth to 12th join the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger in a winner-takes-all finale.
By Washington Onyango
