Africa-Press – Kenya. Shujaa and Lionesses posted mixed results in the HSBC World Sevens Division Two category played at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
Kevin Wambua’s charges finished Day One with a 100 per cent record, beating Canada 29-12, Belgium 33-0 and a extra-time 15-10 over Germany in their final match
The Lionesses however, came up short, beating Brazil 15-12 in their opener before losing 15-12 to China and 12-10 to African rivals, South Africa.
Shujaa looked sharp and lively in their three matches and will be hoping to continue with the strong start when they face Uruguay and USA in their final pool games on Sunday.
In their opening match against Canada, Patrick Odongo opened the scoring with Chrisant Ojwang scoring the second before Odongo scorched the Canadian defence for a third try and a 17-0 lead.
Canada responded before the break through Morgan Di Nardo and Kalin Sager crossed early in the second half to keep them in the contest at 17-12.
Wambua’s charges finished off the contest in the closing stages, with Amaitsa and super-sub Festus Shiasi scoring a try apiece
In the one-sided match against Belgium, Samuel Asati, Vincent Onyala, Patrick Odongo and Floyd Wabwire scored a try each as the hosts put the Europeans to the sword. Shujaa were, however, given stern test in the final pool match against Germany.
The Germans raced quickly to a 10-0 lead as Daniel Eneke offloaded to Ben Ellermann for the opening try before Felix Hufnagel doubled the lead to make it 10–0, a margin they held until the half-time break.
On resumption Shujaa came out firing on all cylinders with Amaitsa and Odongo scoring two quick tries to tie the match at 10-10.
Germany nearly snatched it at the death, but Odongo and his teammates produced a crucial try-saving tackle to force extra time.
Festus Shiasi then turned hero for Shujaa receiving flat pass from Asati to score the winning try and preserve Shujaa’s unbeaten run.
