The GB sevens team eased to victory in their first competitive match against a powerful Kenyan squad in Brazil this afternoon.
Putney’s Dan Bibby played a part in four of GB’s five tries, while captain Tom Mitchell from Wandsworth provided sturdy leadership throughout.
Despite a nervy start, GB’s efficient play triumphed over Kenya’s notorious ‘power game’ to a final score of 31-7.
GB took an early lead and quickly consolidated this after an excellent steal by Bibby allowed teammate Phil Burgess to sprint to the tryline.
Showing their confidence by playing through overtime, GB scored a fourth try to take them to a half-time lead of 24-0.
Veteran commentator Eddie Butler said: “This is a strong Kenyan team but team GB have been really first class.”
He added particular praise for the captain, saying Mitchell had ‘been the heart of the team’.
Kenya started the second half aggressively and scored a quick try, but they gave away too many penalties and knock-ons through scrappy play to build on this momentum.
The game highlight came later when Bibby fooled the Kenyan defence with an excellent dummy and trotted over the tryline to seal victory for GB.
Kenya’s dangerman Collins Injera had little impact in the game and the team ranked ninth in the world will be hoping for a better performance later in the competition.
With a starting squad composed of five English players, one Welshman and one Scot, the GB team gelled quickly, despite never having played together competitively.
They will play a strong Japanese squad, who beat New Zealand 14-12, at 9pm today.
