Kenya and USA will head into day two of the inaugural HSBC SVNS 2 tournament unbeaten after a thrilling opening day played in front of a packed crowd at Nyayo National Stadium.
Fittingly, an action-packed day in the Kenyan capital ended in dramatic fashion.
The hosts roared back from 10-0 down against Germany in the final match of the day, forcing golden point extra time before Festus Shiasi Safari sliced through the middle to seal a 15-10 victory and send the home crowd into raptures.
USA, meanwhile, were in ruthless form, breaking the 40-point mark twice in three matches. The two unbeaten sides are now set for a blockbuster clash in Sunday’s final match of the tournament.
Kenya shine on home soil
Patrick Odongo Okong’o was the hero for Kenya on multiple fronts. He bagged a first-half double in a 29-12 win over Canada, helping the hosts withstand a fightback before pulling away late on.
Kenya then ran in five unanswered tries to thrash Belgium 33-0, compounding Belgium’s earlier 40-0 defeat to USA.
Against Germany, Odongo Okong’o produced crucial try-saving interventions to keep the scores tied at 10-10 and force extra time, before Safari’s decisive score ensured Kenya remained unbeaten heading into day two.
USA lay down a marker
Pita Vi scored twice as USA opened their campaign with a commanding 40-0 win over Belgium.
They followed that with a hard-fought 19-14 victory over Uruguay. Despite dominating possession, USA trailed 14-12 with a minute remaining before Vi grabbed the decisive try.
Lucas Lacamp then crossed four times in a dominant 41-7 triumph over Canada, capping a powerful day one performance.
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Felix Hufnagel inspired Germany’s 19-14 comeback win over Uruguay with two tries and two conversions.
Germany later rallied from 17-5 down at halftime to beat Canada 26-17, with Niklas Koch scoring twice.
Uruguay eventually found form, defeating Belgium 31-14 to register their first win of the tournament.
Argentina perfect in women’s competition
In the women’s competition, promoted HSBC SVNS 3 finalists Argentina — Las Yaguaretés — stole the spotlight with three wins from three.
They opened with a 20-10 victory over China, with Marianela Escalante scoring the tournament’s first try and Talia Rodich adding a brace.
Rodich was again instrumental in a 19-17 comeback win over Spain, before Argentina sealed an impressive 28-17 triumph over Brazil to top the standings.
Spain remain in top-four contention despite only one win, having collected two losing bonus points in narrow defeats to South Africa and Argentina before beating China 21-0.
Hosts Kenya also remain in the hunt. They thrilled the home crowd with a 15-12 comeback win over Brazil, courtesy of tries from Janet Okelo, Stella Wafula and Naomi Amuguni.
They later secured two crucial losing bonus points in narrow defeats to China (15-12) and South Africa (12-10).
Brazil and China each claimed one win but sit in the lower half of the table after day one.
With unbeaten Kenya and USA set to collide and Argentina leading the women’s charge, Nairobi is primed for a gripping second day of sevens action.
