Kenya on Saturday touched down six tries to stun visiting Spain 36-27 in rugby Test match at the RFUEA ground.
Outside centre Darwin Mukidza scored a brace of tries as second row Oliver Mang’eni, full-back Vincent Mose, left wing Jacob Ojee and substitute forward Lawrence Buyachi crossed over once each for Simbas sweet victory against Spain.
Mukidza made two conversions.
The victory was impressive for Kenya considering Spain are ranked 10 places higher than Kenya at 20th.
The Spaniards landed a penalty try and tries from blindside flanker Bonan Anibal and left wing Nil Baro as fly-half Bradley Linklater drilled over three conversions and three penalties.
Spain took an early lead with a penalty but Kenya came back strongly to lead 17-6 at the break from three tries and a conversion.
Spain were dominant in scrummages and line-outs and lead 27-22 midway through the second half before Kenya turned on style with open play to win.
It was Kenya’s second straight win against European opposition following their 41-15 victory over Portugal on May 30.
The victory will give Kenya some level of confidence going into their Africa Rugby Division 1A duel against Namibia on August 8 in Windhoek.
“I knew Spain would come out with their guns blazing in the second half with explosive display at the breakdowns to take the game to the last minute and it happened.
I told my guys to minimize on their mistakes since Spain had a good kicker and I am glad we managed to win against such opposition,” said Kenya coach Jerome Paarwater.
Kenya captain Brian Nyikuli said it was about character and staying composed especially in the second half. “I knew they were strong in the pack and rallied my boys to also go down with them minus mistakes,” said Nyikuli.
Spain skipper Jesus Recuerda said Kenya’s open play did them in. “We tried to close in the gap by using our strong pack but Kenya proved dangerous with open play and fitness,” said Recuerda.
Spain were powerful in their drives to force a penalty that Linklater curled over to take the lead 3-0. However, Kenya went into the offensive and Mukidza would collect a loose ball before slicing through Spain’s defence to score.
Kenya forced a turnover from Spain’s assault before Mukidza was put through to sprint from almost mid-field to score for a 10-3 lead. Kenya then conceded three consecutive penalties.
Daily Nation