Kenya 7s Roar To Fourth In Moscow

The Kenya 7s started their world cup campaign in bullish form with a 45-5 thumping of new comers Philippines. This performance would set the bar for all our Pool C matches. Against the Filipinos we were dominant and clean at the set piece, controlled the pace of the game, took our chances and regained most of our restarts off the kick off.

Felix Ayange vs Philippines.

Before this match, we had watched Samoa struggle against Zimbabwe to narrowly win 24-19. With teams looking to rack up as many points as possible, we already held an advantage over our Pool rivals. Next up was Zimbabwe. The Cheetahs had pushed the Samoans to the edge, caused them problems at the set piece and packed an impressive set of wheels at the wings.

Just like in the first match, the boys were dominant from the start dictating all the facets of play and all deserving of the 17-5 lead going into the half. Zimbabwe offered more in terms of opposition compared to Philippines, tested our defence, breaking it once courtesy of Chitokwindo's pace on the wing. The second half was all Kenya as we put in another 2 tries to comfortably win 31-5. Another dominant display from the boys and most importantly a big score to go with it meant we had one foot in the Cup quarter final.

In the other match Samoa survived an early scare in the first half to see off the Philippines 29-0, they now had to beat us to assure themselves of a spot in the quarter finals. Kenya were quicker off the blocks, racing to a 12-0 lead at the break. We had managed to bully the Samoans, in the set piece and in open play, we defended well in that half and took our chances. The introduction of Lio Lolo in the second half gave the Samoans the spark they were missing. He immediately reduced the deficit to 5 points after a converted try.

Another substitution from the Samoans led to their second try, this time Uale Mai going over to tie the game. Kenya had relinquished control of the game during that period leading to Mai's try but did well to steady the ship and move into Samoan territory. Mike Wanjala spotting a gap on the Samoan blind side to go over and put is side into the Quarter finals.

Mike Wanjala, Patrice Agunda and Injera in the 'Watu Waoge' dance

Kenya were ranked second after the Pool stages behind South Africa, this set up a clash against France in the Cup quarter final. The two had met 4 times in the past season with Kenya winning on all four occasions, given that statistic you could understand the air of confidence around the country. France had qualified as one of the best runners up alongside Fiji, they had not lost a match this far winning two against Tunisia and Spain then registering a draw against Australia in Pool A.

France were first to go over the chalk, against what looked like a tired Kenya side, Biko Adema would give his side the lead, converting his own try to make it 7-5. France though would go into the break with the lead Dall Igna making it 7-12.Kenya played below the standard they had set in the pool stages and France were happy to poke holes at will.

The second half started with more impetus on the Kenyan side, a Humphrey Kayange brace turning the score board on its head, 19-12. But again we were guilty of some dodgy defending letting the French back into the game at the death to take the game to sudden death at 19 all.

The French looked started off the first period of extra time on a strong footing, pinning us to the proverbial corner. The boys did well to defend resolutely and turn the tide slowly. A turn over deep in our half saw Willie Ambaka who had been silent over the 14 minutes, sprint half the length of the pitch to go over for the decisive score.

Watu Waoge dance, after Willie's try vs France

That win set up a clash against England in the Semi final, with the other Semi final pitting Fiji against New Zealand. The quarter finals had claimed the scalps of most notably South Africa, meaning we carried the hopes of the continent going into this one. Kenya had met England on several occasions in the last season, but only one remains etched in our memories, that cup final in Wellington.

Everything was going according to plan to this point, we had done our job to a great degree of accuracy, the draw was on our side, luck was also with us, even mother nature. Average of 30 degrees Celsius meant it was just like home, most of the other teams had complained about the weather conditions, not us. These were the hottest conditions Moscow had experienced in 100 years, surely this was our time.

This was before a heavy dark cloud came over the Luzhniki stadium and rain over our parade and wash away all those chances. Mid way through the first Semi final between New Zealand and Fiji, play was called off due to the heavy rain and lightning threat. When play resumed in an hour's time, it was on a swamp not a pitch. The rains also meant that the satellite uplink was experiencing a great deal of interference and thus couldn't transmit. New Zealand swam and waded their way past Fiji to book a Cup Final berth.

With no TV signal, Kenya took on England at the Luzhniki Swamp, Dan Norton proved he can wade just as fast as he can run, going over twice for his side before the half to make it 12-0. Captain Andrew Amonde reduced the deficit to seven points with an unconverted try. What most of us saw was the last 19 seconds of the game. Willie Ambaka surging towards the try line close to the near touch line with Norton hot in pursuit, the English man catching up with big Willie putting in a great tackle.

That tackle.

Whether Norton released Willie after the tackle is a whole debate but he managed to wrestle Ambaka and our World Cup hopes into touch after that tackle. It felt like a bad dream, you could see it in the players' faces as they kicked the puddles of water after the match as if to ask, "So that's it?" After this, we were never really in it for the third place play off against Fiji. It was a case of all or nothing for us, 29-5 that one ended.

There was really no way we could have prepared for those conditions, not sure that they were even forecast. They hit us the hardest, the rest of the sides adapted faster than we did and thus our exit. We really don't like rain, the last time I remember us performing under the rain was at the RFUEA, in the 2010 Safari Sevens Final against the Emerging Boks. Had the weather held it's end of the bargain, we could have been holding a totally different conversation, but that is Sports it's unpredictable, and that is why we love this particular sport.

Oscar doing a great job at wading through the waters vs England

It was a great showing from the boys, in many ways the best we have looked this season. We improved in all departments, the set piece especially and the kick off retention. This was by some distance, the highest conversion rate of chances to points we have had this season. The boys can be proud of the performance, we were the only side from the four semi finalists in 2009 that managed to make it to the Cup Semis this year.

Everyone knew their role and played it to perfection, even when the substitutes came on the balance in the team was never upset. I'd like to pin point two or three roles that stood out, first and perhaps the most unsung was the Captain's role. Andrew was immense at the break down, his presence at almost every ruck especially when defending trying to win the turn over. His work rate never dropped over the three days and I can add over the whole season. In this department Oscar Ouma is the other operator, his influence here is only second to the man we call Opede.

Second role is that of the enforcer, this one played by none other than Omwana Wa amberi wa Omusakhulu Emonyi, Humphrey "Tall" Kayange (Translation courtesy of Collins Nabiswa). His try count of 6 over the three days shows just how important he was to the side. When we found ourselves in a tight spot, the ball was swung his way and more often than not, he found a way out. He worked his socks off, case in point in the France game, that second try, you could clearly see that he was tired, but he dug deep and sprinted a good 40 meters to score, he could barely stand after that. He was also key in our kick off retention rate alongside Ambaka and Agunda.

The Enforcer.

To be termed as a veteran at 25 means you have something special, Biko Adema in his second world cup has already earned that tag. His reading of the game was super, alongside Ayange they formed a formidable half back pairing. His kicks could improve, we should see more of what he did against Samoa from the touch line. Ayange adds a vital punch in attack, running some great angles for a half back. The importance of Injera and Ambaka can not be over emphasized, the two provide the X factor to the team, they might be silent over the 13 minutes but on the 14th..

So what next? If we manage to hold on to this pool of players, the wider 24 really, adding to it when necessary, we have only seen the tip of the ice berg as far as performances go. The vital part will be holding on to the technical bench, at least for another season. Let's not get carried away with one season's performances. Yes Big M needs more contact with the players than he is having at the moment, I believe that can be worked out. If we go on and let go of this technical bench, we would have in many ways watered down any progress we have made. A new coach means new strategies, most probably new players, new methods generally we will be starting from square 1.

Collo vs Fiji.

Big M, Felix Ochieng, Chris Brown have struck a winning chord, brought us to the edge of glory, let us not interrupt that rhythm. It's off season for the lads, a deserved break from what has been a gruelling season, where they have been stretched to new heights. With the local sevens circuit kicking off in August, it is going to be a short break with the circuit kicking off in October. Apart from Willie who is headed to France, a few of the lads have been signed on a temporary basis by international clubs and will be in action in various locations across the world for the next two or three months.

With that ladies and gents......

KWISHA......Nimeruka Nje!!!!