Kenya qualify for World U20 Trophy set for July in Scotland

 Kenya beat Zimbabwe 28-13 to win the Barthes Cup for the fourth time in Harare on Sunday.

It was sweet revenge considering Kenya lost to Zimbabwe 28-7 at Nyayo Stadium in torrential rain and later 64-10 in the Junior Rugby Trophy at the same venue in July.

Following the win, Kenya has qualified for the World Rugby U20 Trophy planned for July 2-17 in Scotland.

This time around, Chipu showed character despite falling behind 10-0  to the hosts in the opening minutes.

Simon Jawichre’s charges regrouped with Iddo Kuta, Michael Wamalwa and Patrick Wainaina scoring a try each. James Olela converted one try out of the three to lead 17-10 at the break.

On resumption, Olela added a penalty to widen the gap 20-10 before the hosts drilled a penalty  to move to within seven points of the visitors

Captain of the day Andy Cole Omollo then sealed the win for Kenya with a well-taken try to extend the lead to 25-13  with Philip Okeyo scoring a late penalty and sending the partisan crowd quiet.

Omollo was delighted with the victory for his side. ” I’m delighted with the win. We lost to Zimbabwe twice last year but we worked on our scrum and it paid off not only in the final but also in the initial matches against Namibia and Tunisia,” Omollo said.  

Coach Jawichre said the team worked on a few things in training when they arrived in Harare.

“We worked on our overall game plan and playing territory. This is a match which could have gone either way but credit to my boys they fought hard and have delivered,” he added. 

Chipu had beaten Namibia 36-28 and Tunisia 56-17 in the pool matches. 

Namibia took the bronze medal after edging Tunisia 26-12.