Shujaa advance to Los Angeles quarterfinals

Shujaa reached the cup quarterfinals in Los Angeles with a gutsy 20-10 victory over Scotland, a result that saw Damian McGrath’s charges finish second in Pool D at the close of pool play at the Dignity Health Park on Sunday morning.

The Scots drew first blood through Kaleem Barreto’s unconverted try but Shujaa stayed in touch, finding themselves in possession as Billy Odhiambo and Tony Omondi combined to set up captain Nelson Oyoo for the equalizer.

It remained a topsy turvy affair, Scotland retaking the lead through Robbie Ferguson before Sammy Oliech stole down the blindside, availing the ball to Alvin Otieno who scored Shujaa’s equalizer,the teams tied 10-10 at the interval.

The opening two minutes of the second half were tense, both sides aware that a victory would guarantee them a place in the last eight.

Shujaa would run at the Scots from the middle of the park, Vincent Onyala eventually receiving the ball down the right flank, deep in the Scottish ’22. He would breach the opposing defenders with a deft step, touching down for the go ahead try before Billy Odhiambo’s 101st World Series try acted as a buffer, giving Shujaa the ten point lead that meant Scotland needed two tries and a conversion to win this game.

The Scots indeed came close but Willy Ambaka’s late intervention forced them into a knock on while grounding the ball. A further infringement moments saw them penalized, Kenya taking the ball into touch, a place in the last eight assured.

Shujaa will play their cup quarterfinal at 8.13pm on Sunday 28 August 2022 against Australia.  

The team had earlier defeated England 19-14. 

Willy Ambaka got the scoring underway, touching down with Sammy Oliech converting before Billy Odhiambo scored his 100th World Series try to give Shujaa a 12-0 lead at the interval.

This match looked to be done and dusted when Ambaka crashed over for his brace, Oliech converting for a 19-0 lead before England clawed back after a moment of Kenyan indiscipline that first saw Odhiambo sent to the bin for a lifting tackle before Kevin Wekesa followed him moments later for a late tackle that saw Shujaa concede a penalty try.

Tom Mitchell converted Charlton Kerr’s try at the death but Shujaa held on for the win.

 Shujaa lost their opening clash 33-14 to Samoa. 

Damian McGrath’s men were punished for four first half handing errors that gifted the Samoans three tries through Vaa Apelu Maliko who scored twice with Uaina Sione adding a third as Melani Matavao drilled home two conversions.

Daniel Taabu sparked a mini revival after the restart for Shujaa, scoring from a quickly taken penalty before setting up Willy Ambaka for a second try that brought the side to within five points of Samoa following two Sammy Oliech conversions.

Further tries from Paul Scanlan and Taunuu Niulevaea alongside Matavao’s conversion sealed the win for the Samoans.