Brilliant Onyala drives Shujaa to Challenge Trophy semis

Brilliant Vincent Onyala scored a brace to help Shujaa cruise to the Challenge Trophy semi finals in the HSBC World Sevens Series winning 28-15 against Japan in a quarter finals tie at the Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas on Sunday.

Shujaa will face Spain in the Challenge Trophy semi finals to be played  10:44 pm (EAT)Sunday.

Japan’s Siofine Lisale’s second try of the tournament was full of his raw power;  every fan at the stadium applauding as he gave his team the lead.

He celebrated with a little hand-shake and a bow to the crowd as an appreciation to his loyal fans.

Shujaa’s Cyprian Kuto made a sensational run through the Japan’s defence to score a try which was converted by Winger  Daniel Taabu giving Paul ‘Pau’ Murunga charges a 7-5 lead.

Naumu Motomura and Kameli Soejim scored two quick unconverted tries to restore Japan’s lead at half time leading 15-7.

But even as Japan swept to the led, Kenya’s fans kept rallying Shujaa: “Let’s go Kenya, let’s go. Let’s go Kenya, let’s go,” they roared from the terraces and so it injected some life to the Murunga’s charges.

Their cheering paid off early in to the second half after Vincent Onyala used his long strides to step away from Japan’s  two defenders to ground the ball from close-range with Taabu converting it to make it 15-14.

Shujaa performed an unconventional passes moving forward and then flew it out to the left, finding an open field where Bush Mwale pounced and drove over for a try with Taabu doing what he loves best- converting – to give Kenya a 21-15 lead.

Onyala scored his second try of the match to give Shujaa the victory at full time with Taabu adding the extras for a 28-15 win.

Sensational Vincent Onyala finished second day in Las Vegas on high, ranking fifth in the DHL performance tracker with 30 points, seven behind leader Connor Braid from Canada.

Earlier Kenya defeated Argentina who have made it to the main cup semi finals 24-19 in their last Pool B match.

Tags:

JAPAN Shujaa Las Vegas HSBC World Sevens Series Sam Boyd Stadium Brilliant Vincent Onyala Challenge Trophy semis

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