T. NashipaeLionesses pounce on Colombia to retain WXV3 status
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 28.10.23. | 07:50
This was the first victory for the Kenya in this campaign
Kenya 15s national women's team, Lionesses, ended their WXV3 tournament in style after seeing off Colombia 21-5 in the match played in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday 27 October.
The Paul Murunga-coached team was in search of their first win of the WXV3 tournament after falling to Spain (32-0), and Kazakhstan (18-12).
The last meeting between Kenya and Colombia was in August 2021, and the Lionesses narrowly won 16-15. They were looking to pick up from there and end their WXV3 campaign on a high.
The hard-hitting ladies were off to a flying start, scoring the opening five-pointer through speedster Sharon Auma. The conversion attempt was off.
Anna Achieng then put her name on the scoresheet with an effortless drop kick to see the Lionesses lead 8-0.
The play was on, and following a series of passes, Rose Atieno broke through the struggling Colombian backline for her maiden try and added five more points to the scoreboard.
Dakika ni ya 79... @kenyalioness are leading 21-5 against Colombia 🇨🇴 and the bench was up there cheering their counterparts!
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) October 27, 2023
Congratulations Ladies. That was a well deserved victory! #WXVRugby pic.twitter.com/oOi8W3MiLU
The try seemed to motivate the fierce ladies, and minutes later, it was winger Auma dancing through Colombia's defense to add another try under her name. Scores 18-0.
In the dying minutes of the final half, Achieng showcased her kicking prowess again to add three more points to Kenya’s tally before the sound of the final whistle, leading to jubilations from the Lionesses' technical bench as well as the Kenyan fans present.
The team finishing bottom of WXV3 will play off against the next-best ranked side, according to the World Rugby Women’s Rankings as they stand following the final match of WXV that year.
Lionesses v Colombia squad
15. Diana Omosso, 14. Sharon Auma, 13. Prisca Nyerere, 12. Stella Wafula, 11. Terry Ayesa, 10. Anne Goretti, 9. Judith Okumu, 1. Rose Otieno, 2. Naomi Muhanji, 3. Natasha Emali (VC), 4. Maureen Chebet, 5. Naomi Jelagat, 6. Enid Ouma (C), 7. Diana Kemunto, 8. Phoebe Akinyi
REPLACEMENTS 16. Knight Otwoma, 17. Valentine Otieno, 18. Evelyn Kalemera, 19. Faith Livoi, 20 Hesla Khisa, 21. Edith Nariaka, 22. Esther Juma, 23. Michelle Akinyi
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