LA7s: Shujaa qualify for main cup quarter-finals as Billy Odhiambo reaches 100 try club

The men’s national rugby 7s side Shujaa had a memorable return to the 2022 season ending Los Angeles 7s as they picked two wins out of three pool matches to successfully book their first main cup quarter final appearance in over half a year.

Grouped in Pool B, the Damian McGrath currently coached side showed great character to come back from defeat in their opening pool match before recording victories in their remaining two matches that successfully saw them advance to the last eight since December 2021 in the Dubai (II) tournament.

In the first match, Kenya were slow off the blocks as a charging Samoa forced them into submission as they recorded a 33-14 victory. The 19-0 damage made in the first half proving too huge to overturn despite an improved second half.

In the second game against England, Shujaa left no room for errors as they approached the game with vigour and intent, taking a 12-0 lead at the break that laid the foundation for their first victory. A converted try by Willy Ambaka just minutes upon the second half resumption stretched the lead further for Kenya who managed to see out an England comeback as the game ended 19-14.

The final pool match saw Kenya defeat Scotland 20-10 to confirm their spot in the last eight as they finished in second place on 7 points behind the flawless Samoa.

In the tournament currently ongoing in the USA, Billy Odhiambo joined the decorated 100 try club on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Odhiambo became just the fourth Kenyan to reach that milestone mark after the legendary Collins Injera (279*), who is still second on the all-time try scoring list, Humprey Kayange (159) and Willy Ambaka (132*).

Kenya will face Australia in the first main cup quarter final. The match kicks off at 2013EAT on Sunday.