The HSBC SVNS 2 Men’s competition kicked off right after the women’s competition with three high octane games.
In the first game, the USA Eagles ran riot against Belgium, thrashing then 40 – 0 to kick off the tournament on a high note. The first half ended 21-0 before the Eagles returned to finish the job with 19 unanswered points in the second half.
The USA Eagles head coach spoke highly of the atmosphere at the Nyayo Stadium and the team’s preparations before the tournament.
“We played a tournament in Fiji as part of our preparations. Our aim was to test ourselves in a hostile environment with the same tropical climate as Nairobi and from the performance, we look prepared,” said Test after the game.
The second game was much tighter and closer as Germany rallied from behind to beat Uruguay 19-14. Uruguay were stronger of the two in the first half, scoring two quick fire converted tries to lead 14-0. However, Germany’s Felix Hufnagel was having none of it as he stepped his way past two Uruguay defenders to score a try under the post. He converted it himself to see his team trail 14-7 at half time.
Hufnagel was influential in the second half too as he scored another try and slotted another conversion to add on to Maxmilian Held’s uncoverted try. 19-14 the full time score.
The last game of the round saw hosts and crowd favourites Kenya take on Canada. The two sides are not strangers to each other and it showed in the cagey manner the two went about their business in the first few minutes.
It was Kenya who would break the deadlock first with the electric Patrick Odongo going over in the corner to give Shujaa the lead. Nygel Amaitsa converted successfuly. Minutes later, Center Chrissant Ojwang went over the chalk for an uncoverted try. Odongo would then go over for his brace before the half, Amaitsa missing the twos on this one too.
Canada refused to go down without a fight, Morgan Di Nardo fighting his way over the line. Lachlan Kratz converted to take the scores to 17-7 at half time.
Canada threatened to make a comeback in the second half with Kalin Sager going over first for an uncoverted try. Facing the possibility of a comeback, Kenya immediately increased their intensity and momentum bouyed by the thunderous home crowed. Nygel Amaitsa scored a converted try before Festus Safari finished things off with a try at the corner to send the crowd into delirium.
Men’s action resumes at 1308 hrs with Uruguay taking on USA, Germany will take on Canada and Kenya will take on Belgium.
By James Njenga
