Tough Luck! Brave Lionesses Fall To Brazil In Hong Kong Semis

5th April 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

In the quarters, the Kevin Wambua side did extremely well to come from two tries down to edge Argentina 17-15, storming the semis of the tournament

Kenya's Sheilla Chajira cuts through the Papua New Guinea defense on day one of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Qualifier in Hong Kong on 4 April, 2019. PHOTO/Mike Lee/KLC fotos for World Rugby
SUMMARY
  • It was a case of so close yet so for Kenya’s national women’s rugby team as they fell 17-5 to Brazil in the semis of the ongoing World Rugby Women Sevens Series Qualifiers in Hong Kong
  • The Lionesses came into the encounter unbeaten after seeing off hosts Hong Kong, East African neighbours Uganda and Papua New Guinea to emerge on top of Group B
  • The African champions trailed 5-0 after Bianca Dos Santos Silva put Brazil ahead in the second minute but speedster Janet Okelo’s kick and chase inside Brazil’s half gave Kenya some hope as she levelled 5-5 three minutes later

HONG KONG, China- It was a case of so close yet so for Kenya’s national women’s rugby team as they fell 17-5 to Brazil in the semis of the ongoing World Rugby Women Sevens Series Qualifiers in Hong Kong.

The Lionesses came into the encounter unbeaten after seeing off hosts Hong Kong, East African neighbours Uganda and Papua New Guinea to emerge on top of Group B.

In the quarters, the Kevin Wambua side did extremely well to come from two tries down to edge Argentina 17-15, storming the semis of the tournament.

The victory was Lionesses second straight win against Argentina in Hong Kong after seeing them off 17-12 at the same stage in 2018.

An enticing last four fixture against Brazil, who beat Kazakhstan on their way to the semis, awaited the Kenyans.

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The African champions trailed 5-0 after Bianca Dos Santos Silva put Brazil ahead in the second minute but speedster Janet Okelo’s kick and chase inside Brazil’s half gave Kenya some hope as she levelled 5-5 three minutes later.

The South Americans responded with some good passing and ball handling, which saw them go 10-5 up through another Dos Santos Silva try.

Brazil capitalised on a poor line-out by Kenya near their own try-line to widen the gap to 15-5 through Luiza Gonzalez Da Costa Campos, with Raquel Kocchann adding the extras.

It was tough luck for the Kenyans who could not better last year’s performance in the competition where they were edged by South Africa at the same stage.