The national under-20 rugby team Chipu kicked off the Barthes Cup tournament with an emphatic 50-3 win over Senegal at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
Chipu began the game on a low but headed to the break leading 13-0.
And #Chipu land the try that gets the to the 50th mark. Conversion drifts wide.
FT scores#Chipu 50 – @Senegal_Rugby 3#BarthesTrophyNairobi
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) June 26, 2021
Kenyan lads seemed charged up for more in the second half as captain John Baraka, leading from the front fended off two defenders to land a try; the subsequent conversion however, turned out to be unsuccessful.
Senegal went down to 14 men after their full back was sent to the sinbin for a high tackle, a window Chipu quickly capitalized to extend their lead via Anderson Oduor who charged over the whitewash earning a try, the conversion by Matoka drifted wide.
Senegal’s sole score came through Assane Ndiane who scored a penalty kick in the second half following a frustrating first half.
Hibrahim Ayodi and William Opaka also added their names to the score sheet with single try.
The U20 Barthes Trophy marks the start of three weeks of international rugby action taking place on Kenyan soil.
The 2020 edition did not take place due to the COVID-19 threat.
Former champions Namibia withdrew from the tournament after 12 of their players reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.