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Hong Kong overcame a poor first half to secure a crucial bonus-point victory over Kenya, the final score reading 42-17 in favor of the Dragons. The result means that Hong Kong will still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup in Repechage Round 3, with the terms of that still be determined pending the result of Canada’s match against Germany.
Wholesale changes to the Hong Kong lineup made for a lack of cohesion to start and some curious decision making. Instead it was Kenya who had the better of the opening exchanges, controlling possession and eventually Felix Ayange broke off the back of a maul, finding Tony Onyango on his shoulder to stretch over the line.
Soon after it was Elkeans Musonye on the end of a superb attack from the Simbas, with a long floated pass from Collins Injera putting his flanker in for the try. As alarm bells began to ring for Hong Kong they summoned Jack Parfitt and Thomas Lamboley as early replacements.
They clearly brought on information from the bench as well as energy, with Ben Rimene changing tactics to put the ball in behind the Kenyan defenders. Onyango couldn’t hold on to a grubber through the line and Max Denmark picked up the scraps, the 19-year-old accepting the gift with open arms for Hong Kong’s first try.
Stern words were no doubt spoken at halftime by Hong Kong coach Leigh Jones, and he also sent out two more reserves to start the second half. It seemed to pay dividends as the Dragons took charge, scoring twice in quick succession. An ill-advised tactical error at the lineout saw Nick Hewson given a free pass to the line, and then Toby Fenn bounced through a tackle to give Hong Kong a two-score lead.
Onyango got a second, a fine individual finish created by a Leo Seje offload, but that would be all Kenya had left in the tank. Replacement No8 Lamboley touched down twice with Lewis Warner crossing on the stroke of full-time to bring an end to proceedings.
Kenya’s World Cup journey is now over though they will still potentially have a role to play as spoilers against Germany on Friday. Hong Kong are still in the equation, their match against Canada now essential to determine who will earn the last spot on the plane to Japan next year.
SCORING
HONG KONG 42
Tries – M. Denmark (29’), N. Hewson (49’), T. Fenn (53’), T. Lamboley 2 (64’, 70’), L. Warner (80’)
Cons – B. Rimene 4/4 (30’, 50’, 54’, 65’), M. Rosslee 2/2 (71’, 80’)
KENYA 17
Tries – T. Onyango 2 (15’, 57’), E. Musonye (21’)
Cons – S. Oliech 1/3 (16’)
TEAMS
HONG KONG
1 Ben Higgins (17 Dan Barlow HT), 2 Ben Roberts (16 Dayne Jans 50’), 3 Dylan Rogers (18 Jack Parfitt 27’), 4 James Cunningham (capt.), 5 Fin Field, 6 Nick Hewson, 7 Toby Fenn (19 Michael Parfitt 77’), 8 Kane Boucaut (20 Thomas Lamboley 27’), 9 Bryn Phillips (21 Liam Slatem HT), 10 Ben Rimene (22 Matt Rosslee 66’), 11 Max Denmark, 12 Ben Axten-Burrett, 13 Tyler Spitz (23 Lewis Warner 66’), 14 Salom Yiu, 15 Jamie Hood
KENYA
1 Patrick Ouko (17 Ephraim Oduor 66’), 2 Colman Were (16 Philip Ikambili 66’), 3 Joseph Odero (18 Hillary Mwanjilwa 58’), 4 Wilson Kopondo (capt.), 5 Malcolm Onsando (19 George Nyambua 66’), 6 Andrew Amonde (20 Martin Owilah 66’), 7 Elkeans Musonye (23 Dalmus Chituyi 66’), 8 Josh Chisanga, 9 Felix Ayange (21 Samson Onsomu 48’), 10 Samuel Oliech (22 William Reeve 66’), 11 Willy Ambaka, 12 Leo Seje, 13 Collins Injera, 14 Nelson Oyoo, 15 Tony Onyango
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistants: George Clancy (IRFU) & Thomas Charabas (FFR)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)
