Kenya Lionesses caper into Hong Kong quarters Like Queens

Kenya Lionesses kept alive their chances of qualifying for 2019-2020 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series after running over their Pool ‘B’ opponents Uganda, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea as the Sevens Series qualifier kicked off at the So Kon Po Recreational Ground in Hong Kong on Thursday.

African queens Kenya, who will face Argentina on Friday at 5am in the Cup quarter-finals, started of the day with a resounding 24-0 win over neighbours and arch-rivals Uganda.

Captain Philadelphia Olando led from the front with the opening try, with Janet Okelo, Christabel Lindo and Grace Okulu crossing the whitewash once each. Okulu added two conversions.

🎥 Interview: @kenyalioness captain Philadelphia Olando spoke to us about her sides learnings from last year and what to expect at the #HK7s qualifiers this year pic.twitter.com/6LqSqLXPLe

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2019

Buoyed by the win, Lionesses went foir the jugular against the hosts in the second match, handing them a 36-5 beating, with a brace of tries from Okulu and Diana Awino. Camilla Atieno and Olando added a try each. Okulu made two successful conversions, while Janet Owino added one more conversion.

It’s three wins from three for @OfficialKRU on day one of the #HK7s women’s qualifier pic.twitter.com/DAvmRquh2G

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 4, 2019

Kevin Wambua’s charges ended group stage action with a 20-10 win over Papua New Guinea, with Sheila Chajira and Awino getting on target with a try each, while Okelo scored two tries.

Janet Owino makes her come back at the Qualifiers on the 4th and 5th of April after being out for one year due to an injury. Welcome back Jano!😃#Lionesses pic.twitter.com/QhHwQyzc4E

— Kenya Lionesses (@kenyalioness) March 28, 2019

The win placed the Kenyans on top of their pool with maximum points as they booked a date to face Argentina on Friday.

Defend your Country through Blood and Sweat #HK7s

M1. #Lionesses 24-00 Uganda
M2. #Lionesses 36-05 Hong Kong
M3. #Lionesses v Papua New Guinea 11:14am pic.twitter.com/sdDpeqMvtf

— Grace Adhiambo (@OkuluGrace) April 4, 2019

Other quarter-finals matches will involve Brazil versus Kazakhstan (5.22am), Scotland against Papua New Guinea (5.44am) as Japan meet Hong Kong at 6.06am.

We're safely in Hong Kong for the Women Sevens Series Qualifiers taking place on Thursday and Friday. 😃😃

Our match day one schedule is available here: https://t.co/Yi4iflJPPV#Lionesses pic.twitter.com/VnFAzhllzy

— Kenya Lionesses (@kenyalioness) April 1, 2019

If Kenya sweep aside Argentina, then they will play the winner of the Brazil-Kazakhstan tie in the semi-finals.