Safari 7s: Defending champions Morans edge Samurai to advance to cup semis

Defending Safari Sevens champions Kenya Morans showed their pedigree as they came from behind to successfully stage a 19-21 comeback against invitational side Samurai.

The hard-fought victory sealed a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing tournament for Morans and increased their chances of defending their title.

In the first quarter-final match played at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 31 October, Samurai made a great start to the game as they scored their first try with their first attacking foray to take an early 5-0 lead.

Despite their early getting out of the blocks, it was the defending champions Kenya Morans who dug deep to get themselves back in the game as they took a halftime lead of 5-14.

First, Austin Sikutwa slew the Samurai defence as he run-crossed the whiteline for Moran's first try of the game that was successfully converted.

After, absorbing pretty much of the pressure that came their way from the Collins Injera-led side, Morans hit again just seconds before the break for their second try that was also successfully converted.

In the second half, determined play by Samurai enabled the invitational side to once again take the lead as they went a gear higher compared to how they ended the first half.

John Kent scored their second try just under the posts before a sneaky Injera capitalized on a sloppy pass from the Morans themselves as he touched down after kicking it foward. With both tries successfully converted, Samurai led 19-14.

Samurai looked to have used all their energy in retaking the lead and Morans duly punished them as they scored the crucial final try that managed to give them the advantage.

The defending champions emerged 19-21 winners after a successful conversion and consequently booked their place in the semi-finals of the tournament.