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Kenya scored two quick tries before the end of the match, but they were not enough to prevent Samoa from narrowly edging them.
The national rugby Under 20 side, Chipu put in a spirited fight but were unable to beat a William Hunt-inspired Samoa in their opening World U20 Trophy encounter, losing 34-18 in a match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
Kenya started brightly and their efforts bore fruit when they scored the first try just five minutes into the game, but it was not converted
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11:39 - 14.07.2023
RUGBY Chipu squad for Samoa opener in World Rugby U20 Trophy named
Kenya will face their rivals from Oceania in what is anticipated to be a highly charged showdown.
Their lead would not last long though, as Samoa restored parity through Paul Stanley, who tore effortlessly through the Chipu Defence with a powerful run like a knife through butter. However, their resulting conversion was also not as successful.
Kenya gained advantage in the 30th minute when Samoa were reduced to 14 men for a brief while due to infringement by Stanely who was sent to the sin bin.
The deficit did not disadvantage Samoa, who went ahead through William Hunt, but the try was unconverted, leaving the score 13-5 to the visitors' good.
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20:00 - 13.07.2023
RUGBY Chipu captain Michael Wamalwa sets the stage for home glory at World Rugby U20 Trophy
Wamalwa expresses honor and determination as Kenya prepares to face tough opponents in highly anticipated tournament
Kenya had an opportunity to reduce the deficit just before the break when Chacha Mashega ran with the ball down the left flank before passing it to Raphael Wanga, but Wanga could not handle the ball well a few yards off the Samoa trybox.
Head coach Curtis Olago needed answers heading into the break to restore parity, with ball handling clearly needing addressing if they were to do better after the break.
Samoa extended their lead right after the break with a try that was well-worked, keeping them ahead 20-5.
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11:45 - 12.07.2023
RUGBY: Team Scotland eager to learn Kenyan culture ahead of World Rugby Under-20 Trophy
Scotland are in Pool A alongside Uruguay, Zimbabwe, and the USA.
Kenya reduced the deficit when a penalty in the fifth minute of the second half which was well taken.
Samoa restored their advantage right after with a try that was well converted, keeping their lead intact at 27-8.
In the 18th minute of the second half, Kenya finally scored the first try of the closing stanza when Wycliff Otieno touched down after a moment of sustained pressure toward the Samoa tryline. 27-13, read the score.
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11:30 - 06.07.2023
RUGBY Chipu flyhalf Spencer Davis kicks up excitement as Junior Rugby World Trophy beckons
Davis confident in new structures and defensive methods as Chipu prepares for the tournament in Nairobi
Kenya’s hopes to reduce the deficit were dealt a huge blow yet again when Hunt tore through the defence easily to put them 32 points to the good.
Kenya however refused to give up, as they bagged what looked like a consolation try through George Otieno with two minutes of the match left to play, but the conversion was not successful.
Another try shortly by Wanga just before full time gave the side an extra seven points but it was not enough to prevent Samoa from getting the win. In the end, Kenya had to settle for a 34-25 loss.
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13:35 - 05.07.2023
RUGBY Squad of 28 named as Team Kenya gears up for upcoming World Rugby U20 Trophy
Laban Kipsang and Eddy Wambugu are among the returnees to the Chipu squad.
Chipu will face Spain next Thursday in a must-win encounter to give them a chance of qualifying to the semi-finals.
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