Kenya Lionesses finished Day One of the Hong sevens HSBC women’s qualifiers unbeaten, mauling Uganda 24-0 in the opener, clawing hosts Hong Kong Dragons 36-5 before wrapping a hard fought 20-10 win over a solid Papua New Guinea side at the So Kon Po Stadium, Hong Kong to land Argentina in a repeat cup quarter-finals slated for 5am today.
Coach Kevin Wambua charges also registered a similar day one result to last year’s qualifiers where they beat all three opponents, the close fight being against Papua New Guinea where Kenya won by a try in a 14-7 full-time affair.
Lionesses muscle in Pool B has seen them land Argentina in the cup quarter-finals, last season repeat quarters clash which Kenya won 17-12.
Argentina from Pool C finished as one of the two best third finishers from after losing 12-17 to Kazakhstan and 26-24 to Brazil in their last match coming off a 24-19 win over Poland.
Lionesses met their first real test in the last match as four unconverted tries saw them beat the PNG Orchids 20-10 in a nervy clash.
Kenya drew first blood in the clash through forward Sheila Chajira but the opponents would retaliate with a levelling try by their scrum half to have it 5-5.
Kenya broke the deadlock at the fifth minute through Diana Awino but the lead was caught up with a levelling try in the last minute of the first half to break with a 10-10 stalemate.
On resumption, Sheila Chajira retained the kick off to set up Janet Akello to a quick restart feeding off an awarded penalty for an unconverted try to go five point clear.
