Winless Shujaa fall short against Ireland

The national men's sevens side, Shujaa suffered a 19-14 defeat at the hands of Ireland in a match that went all the way to Golden Point following a 14-all draw in regular time at the Cape Town leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Shujaa came into the 9th Place quarter-final after another disappointing outing in the Pool games where they failed to win a single game extending their torrid record this season as they are yet to get off the mark.

Cape Town 7s: Shujaa face a tricky Irish side in 9th place quarters

Ireland, the runners-up in the Dubai 7s suffered an upset in their Pool matches which saw them go down to a well-drilled Uruguay side who were promoted this season to deny them a place in the Main Cup quarters.

Chasing their first win in Cape Town, Shujaa had a brilliant start to the game and took just two minutes to land their opening try when Edmond Anya’s brilliant movement fooled the Ireland defence to touch down with Tony Omondi adding the extras.

Kenya denied Ireland space and added their second of the match when Daniel Taabu turned the Irish defence inside out with his step as Omondi was again perfect with his kicking to see Shujaa head into the break with a 14-0 lead.

After being denied possession in the opening half, Ireland returned into the second half firing from all cylinders as the fleet-footed Jordan Conroy landed their opening try of the game with Hugo Lennox converting the try.

Conroy was a live wire for Ireland in the second half and backed himself as he beat George Ooro on the byline to race over the try line as Lennox added the extras from his boot.

Kenya were awarded a penalty at the depth of the game which Johnstone Olindi opted to kick with the posts being at a favourable angle and distance but he could convert the penalty as the game went into Golden Point.

Cape Town 7s: Draw with Spain knocks Shujaa out of Main Cup contention

Anya was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on to leave Kenya a man down with Kevin Wekesa shown a red card moments later for a high tackle to leave Shujaa with a mountain to climb.

Conroy again was a thorn in the flesh of Kenya completed his hat-trick with a simple try after Kenya were hamstrung by discipline issues and will now drop to the 13th place semi-final.