The Kenya Lionesses fell 5-21 to Belgium in their final pool match on Saturday 9th March meaning they dropped from the Cup quarterfinal playoffs. The Belgians were first to go over the whitewash through Cecile Blondiau with Margaux Stevins adding the extras for an early 0-7 lead.
Naomi Amuguni quickly reduced the gap as she landed the Lionesses’ solo try in the match but Sinaida’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful; the scoreboard read 5-7 at the break. Despite the Lionesses’ efforts to defend, the opponents proved to be the better team as they landed two tries through C. Blondiau and Hanne Swiers with M. Stevins and Ambre Collet converting each try to seal off their 5-21 victory.
Despite the loss, the Lionesses’ finished as the 8th team overall earning a spot in the cup quarterfinals where they met China in the second quarterfinal match. From kick off, Lionesses landed the first try as Phoebe Akinyi made her way to land a center post try that was converted by Sinaida Mokaya. Two minutes yellow, Akinyi was sent to the sinbin for an infringement and China quickly maximized on this to score their first of four tries. Two in the first half and the other two in the second half through securing their second victory over Kenya in this Challenger Series with a 24-5 score.
The Lionesses will face Hong Kong China at 10:37pm EAT in the 7th place playoff.
