28 JUNE 2004

Eric Odanga

Kenya booked a ticket to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 Hong Kong, winning the Southern Africa zone tournament in Lusaka, Zambia on June 27.

The Kenyans defeated Namibia 33-14 in the final to ensure they travel to Hong Kong for their second successive appearance at the World Cup Sevens.

In the final, Kenya matched the physical Namibians upfront. Former Kenya captain Benjamin Ayimba scored the first try in the first minute and Oscar Osir, the current captain converted.

They made use of a numerical advantage after Namibia’s Ian Duvenhage was yellow carded for a foul on Kenya’s assistant captain Newton Ong’alo. Namibians were not cowed and replied in the eighth minute when Jurgen van Lill powered past three tackles to score near the posts. Ronaldo Pedro converted to level 7-7.

Kenya responded with a runaway try by Lucas Onyango after their speedy winger Allan Makaka gained good ground before unloading to Onyango. Osir converted to give Kenya a 14-7 lead at the change of ends.

On resumption, Makaka gained good ground and chipped the ball over the advancing Namibian backs to retrieve and score for Kenya to lead 19-7.

Namibia fought back, narrowing the gap again in the third minute of the second half. Du Preez Grobler chased a high ball and beat Kenya forward Felix Ochieng’ to the line. Jaco Kotze’s conversion hit the cross-bar before gliding over for a 19-14 lead in Kenya’s favour.

This is when Kenya tightened the screws and increased their lead in the fifth minute through their Sri Lanka-based forward Mwanja after Lucas Onyango handed off Deon Mouton.

Osir converted for Kenya to lead 26-14. It was left to Osir to lead by example scoring the sixth try which he converted.

Chants of Hong Kong, Hong Kong filled the air as jubilant Kenyan fans danced and celebrated on the terraces. After the match, Osir acknowledged that he had no doubt that Kenya would qualify. “This is a good team, which will fly Africa’s flag honourably in Hong Kong next year.

"For me it is a milestone. Namibia was a very strong side and the win was as a result of intense concentration,” he said.

His opposite number Corne Powell believes that Kenya were worthy winners. “They are a well-drilled side whose experience in the IRB Sevens Series showed.

"It was their speed which wore us down,” Powell admitted.

Semi-finals

In the semi-finals, Kenya powered past Zimbabwe 33-7. Lucas Onyango scored the first try in the second minute and Oscar Osir converted. Three minutes later, Kenya scrum-half Newton Ong’alo ran down the blindside from a scrum at the half-way line to score at the corner flag for a 12-0 lead at half-time.

28 seconds into the second half, Felix Ochieng’ went over for Kenya and Osir converted. Zimbabwe used the numerical advantage, scoring after Kenya winger Allan Makaka was yellow carded. Neil Nortje sprinted to the line and Arnie Takawira
converted - only the second time that the Kenya try-line was breached throughout the tournament.

Onyango scored his second try for Kenya and Osir converted as Kenya led 26-7.

Coach Bill Githinji then rested his captain Osir and former captain Benjamin Ayimba introducing the newest sensation, Teddy Omondi and Victor Sudi. Omondi scored with his first touch of the ball and converted to complete the win.

The second semi-final was won by Namibia who beat Uganda 19-5. They denied the East Africans who had been impressive in their pool matches on the opening day, utilising a high tempo, physical game. It was not until in the sixth minute that Uganda cracked, allowing Deon Mouton to race over unchallenged.

Jaco Kotze converted. One minute later, Ian Duvenhage scored the second and Kotze converted for a 14-0 lead at half-time.

Uganda’s consolation try came in the fourth minute of the second half by boxer-turned-rugby-player Robert Seguya, who crossed the line from an individual effort.

Ronaldo Pedro put the issue beyond doubt for Namibia scoring a try in the sixth minute.

Play-off

Uganda needed a sudden-death try by winger Allan Musoke to win the play-off against Zimbabwe 24-19. Zimbabwe led 14-12 at half time in a game which the two sides played for honour.

Gus Mberi opened the account for Zimbabwe and John Ewing converted before Uganda came back to level with a Musoke try which
Robert Seguya converted.

Neil Nortje put Zimbabwe back in the lead with a try converted by Ewing. Uganda replied through Seguya as Zimbabwe led 14-12 at half-time. When Slater Ndlovu planted the ball at the corner-flag for Zimbabwe, there were smiles as the seconds ticked away.

But Musoke had other ideas scoring a try to tie the game 19-19. In sudden-death, Musoke unlocked Zimbabwe's defence for the winning try.

Results

Day 2

Semi-finals

Kenya 33 Zimbabwe 7 (half time) 12-0)
Try scorers: Kenya, Lucas Onyango (2), Newton Ong’alo,
Felix Ochieng’, Teddy Omondi
Conversions: Oscar Osir (3), Teddy Omondi (1).
Try scorer: Zimbabwe, Neil Nortje
Conversion: Arnold Takawira

Namibia 19 Uganda 5 (half-time 14-0)
Try scorers: Namibia, Deon Mouton, Ian Duvenhage,
Ronaldo Pedro
Conversions: Jaco Kotze (2)
Try scorer: Uganda, Robert Seguya

Final

Kenya 33 Namibia 14 (half-time 14-7)
Try scorers: Kenya, Benjamin Ayimba, Lucas Onyango,
Allan Makaka, Dennis Mwanja, Oscar Osir
Conversions: Oscar Osir (4)
Try scorers: Namibia, Jurgen Van Lill, Du Preez
Grobler
Conversion: Jaco Kotze (2)

Play-off

Uganda 24 Zimbabwe 19 (in sudden death)
Half-time: 7-14
Try scorers: Uganda, Allan Musoke (3), Robert Seguya.
Conversions: Robert Seguya (2)
Try scorers: Zimbabwe, Gus Mberi, Neil Nortje, Slater
Ndlovu
Conversion: John Ewing (2)