Shujaa dropped to the USA7s Challenge Trophy after losing their first two pool matches to USA and France. The hosts beat Kenya 26-10 while France handed them a 31-7 loss in their second pool match.
France were more clinical than Shujaa seeing as they made six visits into the latter’s 22 and from five visits, they managed to score a try each time. They were very quick in taking their penalties which caught Shujaa unprepared when it came to their defense.
The French lead by 12 points to none at the stroke of half time with tries coming from Paulin Riva and Jean Pascal Barraque; Barraque adding one conversion. They would then open up the second half with Stephen Parez dashing for the try line.
Michael Agevi broke the French defense, was tackled deep in France’s half but his offload set up Vincent Onyala to score Shujaa’s solitary try in the match. Daniel Taabu added the conversion. The next two tries were scored by Jonathan Laugel and Marvin O’Connor.
Shujaa plays Argentina at 11:58pm in the last pool match. Should they finish third in the pool, their Challenge Trophy quarterfinal is scheduled to kick off at 4:14am but if they finish fourth they’ll play at 3:30am.
Photo: Ross Nassif
