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Canada came through their opening match of the World Cup Repechage with ease as they blasted Kenya 65-19, scoring 10 tries in the process. It was Canada’s highest points total since the 69-3 win over Barbados in June 2006. A hat-trick from DTH van der Merwe led the way with doubles via Brett Beukeboom and Theo Sauder.
Despite having little difficulties scoring against a disorganized Kenyan defense, Canada were not entirely comfortable themselves in that department and conceded three tries with the gap only 8 points at the 44 minute mark. Tony Onyango and Leo Seje finished off attacking moves in the first half and George Nyambua bashed over early in the second.
The set piece was Kenya’s undoing. Their scrum was obliterated from the start and their lineout woefully inaccurate. Canada dominated the forward exchanges and when the game broke up in the second half they put their opponents to the sword with 38 unanswered points in the last half-hour.
Mike Sheppard came on for his Canada debut and scored just six minutes into his test career. On the other side of the pitch William Reeve won his first cap for Kenya as a replacement fullback.
Next for Canada is Germany on Saturday. Kenya will play Hong Kong.
SCORING
CANADA 65
Tries – D. van der Merwe 3 (9’, 29’, 76’), B. Beukeboom 2 (13’, 61’), T. Sauder 2 (40’, 54’), T. Ardron (51’), M. Sheppard (69’), M. Evans (71’)
Cons – G. McRorie 5/9 (10’, 40’, 52’, 62’, 70’), T. Sauder 1/1 (77’)
Pens – G. McRorie 1/1 (2’)
Yellow cards – M. Heaton (7’)
KENYA 19
Tries – T. Onyango (17’), L. Seje (32’), G. Nyambua (43’)
Cons – D. Mukidza 1/2 (44’), S. Oliech 1/1 (33’)
Pens – D. Mukidza 0/1
TEAMS
CANADA
1 Hubert Buydens (17 Djustice Sears-Duru 63’), 2 Ray Barkwill, 3 Jake Ilnicki (18 Matt Tierney 45’), 4 Brett Beukeboom (19 Mike Sheppard 63’), 5 Evan Olmstead, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Matt Heaton (20 Lucas Rumball 45’), 8 Tyler Ardron (16 Eric Howard 72’), 9 Phil Mack (capt.) (21 Jamie MacKenzie 70’), 10 Gordon McRorie, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Nick Blevins (22 Ciaran Hearn 47’), 13 Ben LeSage (23 Conor Trainor 63’), 14 Matt Evans, 15 Theo Sauder
KENYA
1 Patrick Ouko (17 Moses Amusala 63’), 2 Colman Were (16 Philip Ikambili 65’), 3 Joseph Odero (18 Hillary Mwanjilwa 63’), 4 George Nyambua (19 Wilson Kopondo 63’), 5 Malcolm Onsando (20 Oliver Mang’eni 48’), 6 Andrew Amonde, 7 Davis Chenge (capt.), 8 Josh Chisanga (23 Martin Owilah 48’), 9 Samson Onsomu (21 Mohammed Omollo 56’), 10 Samuel Oliech, 11 Willy Ambaka, 12 Leo Seje, 13 Collins Injera, 14 Darwin Mukidza, 15 Tony Onyango (22 William Reeve 63’)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistants: JP Doyle (RFU) & Joy Neville (IRFU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
