The Lionesses fell to a 29-22 defeat to hosts Madagascar in their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup opening fixture at the Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Saturday 4 May 2024.
They led 12-5 at the break, having raced into a 12-0 lead in early first half when winger Terry Ayesa grounded the ball, finishing off a move that started after retaining possession from an attacking line out deep in Madagascar’s half. Anne Ochieng sure with the conversion as the Lionesses led 7-0 after seven minutes of play.
Diana Awino scored at the corner to put the Lionesses 12-0 up on eighteen minutes but the hosts scored an unconverted try to end the first half seven points adrift.
Another unconverted try after the break brought the scores to 12-10 before Rose Otieno barged over to take the Lionesses 17-10 put.
Madagascar began to put the Lionesses on the backfoot, scoring a converted try to level the scores at 17-17 before Awino landed her brace to take the Lionesses 22-17 up. They would concede two tries, one of them converted, to hand the win to Madagascar.
