On March 1st, the Kenya Lionesses opened their Challenger Series with a dominant 20-5 win over Samoa, led by Grace Adhiambo’s hat-trick. The match featured strong defensive efforts from Kenya and ended with clear intentions for their campaign this year, following their prior disappointment in the finals.
The Kenya Lionesses commenced their Challenger Series campaign with an impressive 20-5 win against Samoa on March 1st in Cape Town. Grace Adhiambo was the star of the match, scoring a remarkable hat-trick to ensure a strong start for the team. The contest was marked by physical play, with both teams vying for control in a challenging encounter.
Initially, Kenya struggled to maintain possession as Samoa applied early pressure. A tactical kick from the Pacific Islanders aimed to create scoring opportunities; however, it was effectively disrupted by a solid tackle from Adhiambo. Following this, Kenya secured a scrum, initiated by the skilled Judith Okumu, despite an earlier missed opportunity due to an errant pass from Sharon Auma.
Kenya’s breakthrough came when Adhiambo capitalized on a turnover, sprinting down the left flank to score the first try. Although the conversion was unsuccessful, Kenya took the lead at 5-0. Samoa briefly controlled the ball but faced a strong Kenyan defense that prevented them from gaining any momentum, leading to a second yellow card for Samoa.
A mishandled lineout by Samoa allowed Kenya to regroup from a scrum, resulting in Adhiambo scoring again just before halftime, bringing the score to 10-0. Early in the second half, Samoa managed to score their first try after punishing Kenya for holding onto the ball. In response, Kenya quickly extended their lead through a well-executed try from Naomi Amuguni, making it 15-5 without a successful conversion.
Adhiambo completed her hat-trick with a stunning run through the defense, solidifying Kenya’s lead. Despite Samoa’s attempts, they were unable to recover, and the match concluded with the referee, Alexandra Ferre, signaling the end. This victory reinforces Kenya’s superiority over Samoa, having previously defeated them 31-5 in last year’s Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco.
The Lionesses are fueled by their previous disappointment in last year’s Challenger Series final, where they narrowly lost to South Africa. This year, their determined performance in the opening match demonstrates their commitment to achieving their goal and sends a clear message of intent to their rivals.
In summary, the Kenya Lionesses showcased their prowess with a decisive 20-5 victory over Samoa in their Challenger Series opener. Grace Adhiambo’s hat-trick was pivotal, underlining the team’s dominance and their resolve to improve upon last year’s near miss in the finals. The team’s strong start sets an optimistic tone for their campaign ahead.
Original Source: www.mozzartsport.co.ke
