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Kenya break French resistance
Kenya's Willy Ambaka scores a try against New Zealand during the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament on March 23, 2013. Photo/AFP NATION MEDIA GROUP
By CHARLES NYENDE cnyende@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, March 23 2013 at 18:41
In Summary
Kenya bounced back from the disappointment of the USA Sevens to storm into the Hong Kong Sevens Cup quarterfinals on Saturday with a last-gasp effort from Horace Otieno to beat France 17-19.
Both teams needed a win in this last pool match to progress to the Cup quarters, and Kenya found themselves trailing 7-19 with two minutes remaining to the end of regulation time in an enthralling affair at a sold-out, 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Sevens Stadium.
They high drama raced to a crescendo as Oscar Ouma sprinted clear on the left wing to score a try converted by Biko Adema and bring the scores to 14-19 on 14 minutes. Time though, surely seemed to have run out for Kenya, Shield semifinalists at the USA Sevens.
But not yet. The buzzer already gone, France's Jean Baptiste Gobelet was sin binned for throwing the ball away and Kenya attacked from the ensuing penalty. Try scorer Albadaladejo soon followed his mate to the sin bin for unfairly trying to delay play on the breakdown by holding onto the ball in the ruck.
Kenya took full advantage on 17 minutes as Otieno, a veteran of many an IRB world series campaign, dived over to snatch victory from the jaws of death.
Even with the frail emotions from the dramatic duel Kenya coach Mike Friday was business-like in his reaction.
"Harsh reality of sevens. This time it has gone our way, and (we are) just happy to be in the Cup quarters tomorrow (Sunday). It is where we want to be," he told irb.sevens.
"We talk about consistency, but that is kind of the Holy Grail. If you can get consistent Cup quarters you are doing something right. Hopefully we can get back on track," he added.
Long range strik
The dour-faced Julien Candelon had scored a couple of tries for France in the first half separated by in-form Dennis Ombachi's long range strike in the third minute. Steeve Barry's try midway through the second half, converted by Paul Albaladejo seemed to have given the physical and bigger Les Bleus enough produce to seal the match.
But a never-say-die Kenya, exhibiting some refreshing self-belief and patience had other ideas.
Kenya, who beat USA 17-14 on day one and lost 7-31 to New Zealand yesterday, will face familiar opponents Portugal in today's Cup quarterfinals from 7.09am (Kenyan time).
Unbeaten New Zealand, who lead the series, play Samoa, Wales face Canada and impressive Fiji clash with Australia in the other Cup quarters.
South Africa, winners of the USA Sevens, were surprisingly knocked out of contention in Hong Kong after losing two of their three group matches. Springbok coach Paul Treu expressed disappointment with his team's performance but noted that competition had become so tight a simple mistake was enough to cost a team the match.
South Africa lost 0-21 to Argentina on the opening day before falling 21-12 to old enemy Australia. A comprehensive 31-0 defeat of Wales in their final pool match was small consolation for missing out on the Cup quarters. England were the other big guns that failed to make the Cup stage of the competition.
In the 12-team pre-qualifier competition, World Cup Sevens hosts Russia, Japan and Tonga maintained hundred percent records to top their pools and book a place in the quarter finals against Uruguay, Tunisia and Georgia respectively.
Kenya break French resistance - Rugby - nation.co.ke
Kenya's Willy Ambaka scores a try against New Zealand during the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament on March 23, 2013. Photo/AFP NATION MEDIA GROUP
By CHARLES NYENDE cnyende@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, March 23 2013 at 18:41
In Summary
- Otieno scores last-gasp try to snatch victory from Les Bleus and book Cup quarters berth against familiar opponents Portugal
- Enthraling pool match stretches to 17 minutes before a winner is decided
Kenya bounced back from the disappointment of the USA Sevens to storm into the Hong Kong Sevens Cup quarterfinals on Saturday with a last-gasp effort from Horace Otieno to beat France 17-19.
Both teams needed a win in this last pool match to progress to the Cup quarters, and Kenya found themselves trailing 7-19 with two minutes remaining to the end of regulation time in an enthralling affair at a sold-out, 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Sevens Stadium.
They high drama raced to a crescendo as Oscar Ouma sprinted clear on the left wing to score a try converted by Biko Adema and bring the scores to 14-19 on 14 minutes. Time though, surely seemed to have run out for Kenya, Shield semifinalists at the USA Sevens.
But not yet. The buzzer already gone, France's Jean Baptiste Gobelet was sin binned for throwing the ball away and Kenya attacked from the ensuing penalty. Try scorer Albadaladejo soon followed his mate to the sin bin for unfairly trying to delay play on the breakdown by holding onto the ball in the ruck.
Kenya took full advantage on 17 minutes as Otieno, a veteran of many an IRB world series campaign, dived over to snatch victory from the jaws of death.
Even with the frail emotions from the dramatic duel Kenya coach Mike Friday was business-like in his reaction.
"Harsh reality of sevens. This time it has gone our way, and (we are) just happy to be in the Cup quarters tomorrow (Sunday). It is where we want to be," he told irb.sevens.
"We talk about consistency, but that is kind of the Holy Grail. If you can get consistent Cup quarters you are doing something right. Hopefully we can get back on track," he added.
Long range strik
The dour-faced Julien Candelon had scored a couple of tries for France in the first half separated by in-form Dennis Ombachi's long range strike in the third minute. Steeve Barry's try midway through the second half, converted by Paul Albaladejo seemed to have given the physical and bigger Les Bleus enough produce to seal the match.
But a never-say-die Kenya, exhibiting some refreshing self-belief and patience had other ideas.
Kenya, who beat USA 17-14 on day one and lost 7-31 to New Zealand yesterday, will face familiar opponents Portugal in today's Cup quarterfinals from 7.09am (Kenyan time).
Unbeaten New Zealand, who lead the series, play Samoa, Wales face Canada and impressive Fiji clash with Australia in the other Cup quarters.
South Africa, winners of the USA Sevens, were surprisingly knocked out of contention in Hong Kong after losing two of their three group matches. Springbok coach Paul Treu expressed disappointment with his team's performance but noted that competition had become so tight a simple mistake was enough to cost a team the match.
South Africa lost 0-21 to Argentina on the opening day before falling 21-12 to old enemy Australia. A comprehensive 31-0 defeat of Wales in their final pool match was small consolation for missing out on the Cup quarters. England were the other big guns that failed to make the Cup stage of the competition.
In the 12-team pre-qualifier competition, World Cup Sevens hosts Russia, Japan and Tonga maintained hundred percent records to top their pools and book a place in the quarter finals against Uruguay, Tunisia and Georgia respectively.
Kenya break French resistance - Rugby - nation.co.ke
