Kenya Simbas vice-captain Darwin Mukidza bagged a hat-trick as Simbas beat Senegal 45-25 in their third Rugby Africa Gold Cup match on Saturday July 15, 2017 at RFUEA grounds.

Kenya ran in seven tries and five conversions against Senegal’s three tries, one penalty and two conversions.

As Mukidza bagged three, Davies Chenge, Joshua Chisanga, David Ambunya and Philip Ikambili had a try each as Sergio Sargor and Georges Mendy crossed over for the visitors. Sargors sent in a penalty as well as the conversions.

The win sees Kenya stay second with 12 points as Namibia top with 15 points while Uganda are third with 11.

Kenya’s next match is against Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday July 22 before heading over to Namibia a week later.

Senegal got things off with Sargor’s penalty won from a ruck but that was short-lived as KCB’s Darwin Mukidza scored back to back tries to hand Kenya a 12-3 lead after one conversion.

Senegal had a chance to reduce the deficit with a penalty but Sargor’s sent his kick wide but paid for his mistake with a touch down to bring scores to 10-12 after the extras.

Kenya were dealt with a huge blow as speedster Jacob Ojee was ruled out with a rib injury to be replaced by Dennis Muhanji.

Kenya won the ball immediately after the injury stop and it was Chisanga who crossed over to make it 17-10 before Davies Chenge’s try ensured Kenya led 24-10 at the break.

Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater would withdraw Dennis Karani and Peter Karia at the interval for Curtis Lilako and Philip Ikambi with the changes paying handsomely as David Ambunya landed his five pointer with Mukidza adding the extras as Senegal added one more unconverted try.

Substitute Philip Ikambili would also bag a try that was converted by Mukidza before Senegal bagged their second through Mendy and were sure with the boots to make 20-38.

Darwin Mukidza crossed over within the posts to complete his hat trick and Kenya’s seventh try.

Credit : Eric Njiru