Kenya had lost all her games in the group stages against opponents Samoa, England and Argentina in the first two days of the tournament, but they recovered from the doldrums to beat France 29-0 in the Bowl semi-finals and USA 14-12 in the Bowl final for a small glitter of hope as they head to the next leg next weekend in Japan.
Head coach Mitch Ocholla did not gamble with his selection in the lower tier cup and fielded a full strength squad against France, with the side clearly showing their potential by scoring five tries in the fifteen minutes of play.
Former captain Humphrey Kayange opened the scoring for the side, which was later complimented by Leon Adongo’s try just before the half time break.
Impala fly half Peter Ocholla put behind Sunday’s nightmare misses against England to convert both tries for a 14-0 lead at the half time whistle.
On resumption, Kayange completed his brace before Ocholla got a try of his own, with Adongo sealing the game with his second try of the game. This vital victory pumped some life into the Kenyan outfit who booked a Bowl final showdown against fellow core side USA.
Kenya seemed to have the lost the game in the first half after USA ran over the try line twice through Rocco Mauer and Colin Hawley to take a 12-0 half time lead, however Kayange was not ready to see Kenya go down and his second half try resuscitated a dilapidating side to pave way for a Willy Ambaka try.
Conversions from Ocholla proved the difference between the two sides as Shalom Siniula missed his first half conversion.
Peter Ocholla’s elder brother, Mitch, will have a lot of work during the midweek as he sets his eyes towards the Japan leg of the tournament.
Kenya’s wins in the final leg of the Hong Kong tournament could be greatly attributed to superb individual performance and were not great team efforts.
The team will have to work harder as a team during the contact area and they have to have more faith in their team mates potential while they are attacking, which will prevent them from clumping up and will instead give them space as they will open up the pitch more for a more fluid and fast flowing game which matches their talents.
By BS MULAVI, The Standard
