Kenya Lionesses began their Challenger Series with a 20-5 win over Samoa, driven by Grace Adhiambo’s hat-trick. The match highlighted Kenya’s defensive strength and strategic execution, leading to a dominant performance. This victory builds on their successful history against Samoa and showcases their determination to succeed after last year’s final disappointment.
The Kenya Lionesses launched their Challenger Series campaign with an impressive 20-5 victory against Samoa on March 1 in Cape Town. Grace Adhiambo was the highlight of the match, achieving a hat-trick that secured a dominant win for the team, showcasing their strong start in the tournament.
The match began with Kenya kicking off, but they initially struggled to retain possession as Samoa put them under pressure. Samoa attempted to gain ground through tactical kicks, yet a sharp tackle from Adhiambo halted their momentum and allowed Kenya to earn a scrum through Judith Okumu.
After an early setback due to a missed pass from Sharon Auma, Kenya quickly regained control, leading to Adhiambo’s first try on the left wing. While the conversion was unsuccessful, Kenya took an early lead at 5-0. Samoa’s attempts to possess the ball faltered under Kenya’s rigorous defense, which forced another turnover in play.
Although Kenya had opportunities to increase their margin, their execution was delayed, allowing Samoa to incur penalties that resulted in two yellow cards. Following Samoa’s mishap at the lineout, Kenya capitalized with a scrum that enabled Adhiambo to score again right before halftime, bringing the score to 10-0 as they entered the break.
In the second half, Kenya’s early possession mismanagement led to Samoa scoring their first try. However, Kenya quickly retaliated with a well-coordinated team effort that allowed Naomi Amuguni to score, putting the lead at 15-5 despite another failed conversion attempt.
Adhiambo completed her hat-trick with a dazzling run through the middle of Samoa’s defense, effectively sealing the match. Samoa attempted to regroup, but time was against them as referee Alexandra Ferre ended the game. This victory reinforces Kenya’s dominance over Samoa, having previously won 31-5 in the Olympic repechage tournament.
Drawing from their past experience, where they narrowly lost to South Africa in the Challenger Series final, the Lionesses are driven to achieve greater success this time. Their emphatic opening performance sends a clear message about their ambitions in the tournament.
The Kenya Lionesses demonstrated their strength in the Challenger Series opener, notably with Grace Adhiambo’s hat-trick leading to a decisive victory against Samoa. This match not only marks their dominant start in the campaign but also reflects their lessons learned from previous challenges, setting a serious tone for their aspirations in the tournament.
Original Source: www.mozzartsport.co.ke
