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| Sunday, 30 March 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Kenya's stun Australia and Sri Lanka lose both games at Hong Kong sevens HONG KONG, March 29 - The African minnows lit up the second day of the world-famous seven-a-side tournament with a 15-12 win over Australia as New Zealand, England and Fiji all advanced safely to the quarter-finals. "It's been a great month for Kenyan sport with our cricketers in South Africa and now this," said skipper Oscar Osula, referring to Kenya's march to the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup. "It's definitely one of our biggest wins ever. Now we just hope to prove that it wasn't a flash in the pan," Osula added after the nail-biting Pool D match. Defeat left Australia contemplating a quarter-final against England, who sounded a warning to their rivals after unleashing secret weapon Ugo Monye to scorch into the last eight. Monye, who has a personal best time of 10.6sec for the 100m, showed electrifying speed and bagged six tries as England defeated Chinese Taipei 43-5 and Tonga 42-7 to top Pool B. England are likely to meet Fiji in Sunday's semi-finals if they can negotiate their way past Australia. The Fijians, playing without legendary sevens king Waisale Serevi, defeated Japan 59-7 before topping Pool C with a 33-12 win over Canada to set up a quarter-final with Samoa. New Zealand meanwhile will be strong favourites to advance to the final after improving steadily in their two matches on Saturday. Fijian playmaker Amasio Valance was the standout for the Kiwis, who defeated the USA 57-7 before sweeping aside Namibia 46-0. New Zealand's veteran skipper Eric Rush singled out England as a serious threat to the his side's hopes. "With a shotgun," Rush said when asked how New Zealand planned to stop England's speed merchant Monye. "He's incredibly fast and strong too," Rush added. "But we'll worry about Ugo in the final if we both get there. Let's get the quarters and the semis out of the way first," the 38-year-old said. New Zealand face Tonga in the last eight. This year's Hong Kong Sevens is being staged despite a health crisis in the former British colony caused by the atypical pneumonia outbreak which has left 12 dead in the territory and scores infected. |
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