Kenya Lionesses maul Lady Cranes to keep slim title hopes alive
Kenya’s Lionesses wrapped up their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign with a dominant 49-0 win over Uganda’s Lady Cranes in Madagascar, keeping faint hopes of clinching the title alive ahead of South Africa’s final fixture.
Kenya’s Lionesses wrapped up their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign with a dominant 49-0 win over Uganda’s Lady Cranes at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The victory keeps their slim title hopes alive, pending the outcome of the final fixture between South Africa and hosts Madagascar later today.
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Both sides opened nervously, struggling with handling errors in the early stages. But it was Kenya who found their rhythm first.
Natasha Emali opened the scoring from the back of a rolling maul, though Sinaida Mokaya’s conversion attempt drifted wide. Sheila Chajira then grounded the ball at the base of a scrum to extend the lead, before Faith Livoi powered over from close range to make it 15-0.
Moments later, Livoi sparked a break deep into Uganda’s territory, with Noleen Khaleyi finishing off with a pick-and-go try. Kenya went into the break leading 20-0.
Second-half brilliance
After the restart, the Lionesses piled on the pressure. A penalty try was awarded after Uganda illegally collapsed a rolling maul, pushing the score to 27-0.
Naomi Amuguni spotted a gap and took a quick tap to dart through for another five points, before Stella Wafula scored twice, the first set up by Maureen Muritu, and the second a solo effort past two defenders to touch down in the corner.
Edith Nariaka then capped off a sweeping counter-attack to take Kenya past the 40-point mark. Despite multiple missed conversions, due to strong winds in Antananarivo, the Lionesses’ attacking display remained relentless.
Eyes on South Africa vs Madagascar
The Lionesses finish the competition with two wins from three: today’s 49-0 result and an earlier 28-5 victory over Madagascar, having only narrowly lost 19-12 to South Africa.
Whether this dominant display is enough to secure the title will now depend on Madagascar upsetting the Springbok Women in the final group fixture.
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