Kenya Simbas mail the much-fancied Spain
Kenya touched down six tries in a pulsating exchange of leads to stun Spain 36-27 in an international rugby test match at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday.
Outside centre Darwin Mukidza scored a brace of tries as second row Oliver Mang’eni, full-back Vincent Mose, left wing Jacob Ojee and substitute forward Lawrence Buyachi managed a try each for in Kenya’s sweet victory against Spain who are placed 20th compared to Kenya’s 30th in the World Rugby ranking. Mukidza made three conversions.
The Spaniards landed a penalty try besides tries from blindside flanker Bonan Anibal and left wing Nil Baro as fly-half Bradley Linklater curled over three conversions and three conversions.
DOMINANT DISPLAY
Spain took an early 3-0 lead with a penalty but Kenya would end the first half with a 17-6 lead from three tries and a conversion.
In the second half, Spain, who were dominant in scrummages, phases and lineouts, claw back to go infront 27-22 before Kenya turned on the style with open display to win.
It was Kenya’s second test victory after they had beaten Portugal 41-15 on May 30.
The victory should spur Kenya against Namibia whom they meet August 8 in their Africa Rugby Division 1A duel in Windhoek.
“I knew Spain would come out all guns blazing in the second half, so I told my players to minimize on their mistakes since Spain had a good kicker and I am glad we managed to win against such,” Kenya coach Jerome Paarwater said.