Lionesses World Cup dream hang in the balance after loss to Madagascar

Kenya women's 15s team Lionesses suffered a chastening 29-22 defeat to hosts Madagascar in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup tournament to dent their quest for a World Cup ticket.

The tournament serves as a qualifier for the women's World Cup.

Lioness were the first to cross over the whitewash with Terry Ayesa scoring the first try of the before Jane Ochieng’ successfully added the extras for Kenya to take a 7-0 lead.

Speedy winger Diana Awino added the second try for Kenya after being set in space by Diana Omoso with the attempt for the extra going wide to stretch Kenya's lead to 12-0.

The hosts offloading game bore them fruits as they troubled the Lionesses defence putting them under pressure at will. They quickly got their first try after having a penalty and capitalizing on the Lionesses lapse in defence as they had a quick tap and managed a try bringing the scoreboard to 12-5 as the game headed to the half-time break.

The second half saw the hosts start on a high as they had a try but failed to convert. The Kenyans however responded with another try through Rose Otieno with the conversion sailing wide bringing the scores to 17-10.

Madagascar responded with two quick tries to go ahead 22-17. However, Paul Murunga’s charges Lionesses showed a fighting spirit and managed an unconverted try to level the scores at 22-22.

In the dying minutes of the game, the Lionesses camped in the hosts 22 area but failed to come out with a point losing possession in the process. Madagascar would then score a try in the last minutes of the game to claim a hard-fought 29-22 win against Kenya.

The Kenya Lionesses will face off with rivals South Africa before later meeting Cameroon in the last match of the tournament, a win will revive their chances of qualifying for the WXV women's competition.