KENYA beat Uganda 38-22 in Nairobi to narrow the gap on log leaders Namibia to three points, while Tunisia shocked Zimbabwe 18-14 in Beja in Rugby Africa Gold Cup matches on Saturday.
Kenya beat their East African neighbours 38-22 to bag their third consecutive win in their Africa Gold Cup campaign.
Kenya scored five converted tries and one penalty against Uganda’s four tries and one conversion. For the win, Kenya collected four points to stay second with 12 as Namibia leads with 15.
Kenya’s five tries were scored by winger Jacob Ojee, captain Davies Chenge, half-back Samson Onsomu, winger Felix Ayange and prop Moses Amusala with Darwin Mukidza converting all.
For Uganda, winger Philip Wokorach scored two tries with centre Michael Wokorach and fly-half Ivan Magomu also getting on the score-sheet.
Returning winger Jacob Ojee got things going for Kenya with his first try of 2018 with Mukidza converting to ensure a perfect start for the home side.
Philip Wokorach, who plays his professional rugby with Kenyan side Kabras Sugar, scored Uganda’s first try but he sent the conversion wide and Kenya immediately capitalised when captain Davies Chenge touched down.
Kenya continued attacking and back-to-back tries by scrum-half Samson Onsomu and winger Felix Ayange gave Kenya a comfortable 28-5 lead at half time.
Uganda got a new lease of life in the second half and tries by Ivan Magomu and Michael Wokorach, and a penalty by Philip Wokorach saw them reducing the deficit to 31-22.
A late try from substitute Moses Amusala however sealed Kenya’s victory which keeps their hopes alive of qualifying for the World Cup.
Tunisia, meanwhile, shocked Zimbabwe with a 18-14 victory in their Rugby Africa Gold Cup match in Beja.
Tunisia had slumped to a 118-0 defeat in their previous match against Namibia two weeks ago, but they gave an inspired performance against Zimbabwe.
Tunisia took the lead on 24 minutes when Mohamed Mliss scored a try, which Mohamed Ali Gafsi failed to convert.
Tunisia’s lead, however, was short-lived. Three minutes later, Lenience Tambwera opened Zimbabwe’s scoring with a try that he also converted to put the visitors 7-5 ahead at half time.
Tambwera scored his second try 11 minutes into the second half and with the conversion they went 14-5 ahead.
Ali Gafsi, however, succeeded with a penalty six minutes later and when Issam Ouerhani scored a converted try four minutes later, Tunisia had regained the lead at 15-14.
In the final minutes of the match, Ali Gafsi landed a penalty to give Tunisia a stunning 18-14 victory.
Namibia and Kenya are now way ahead on the log, with Namibia leading on 15 points and Kenya second on 12 points after three matches each.
Tunisia is third on four points from two matches, while Zimbabwe, who are fourth on three points from three matches are now out of the running for World Cup qualification.
Morocco is fifth on three points from three matches, while Uganda must still open their account.
