In game that went right down to the wire, a turnover by lock Andy Cole Omolo, which was rewarded with a penalty, typified Kenya’s defensive effort and meant frustration for their opponents in a match where there was little to choose between the sides.

“It was tough today because we were physically under the pump and that became hard for us,” Logan Asplin, the Hong Kong head coach, said.

“We are never going to question their [the players’] effort. You saw at the end how much it means to Kenya and how much means to our players too being pretty distraught on the ground.

“We know that another day it could have gone our way.”

Oduor’s first try gave Kenya the lead after five minutes and was converted by fly-half Eddy Wambugu, the first of three successful kicks for the Chipu.

Hong Kong full-back Dylan McCann reduced the deficit with a penalty two minutes later before his captain, No 8 Tyler McNutt, drove over after lock Glenn Hui had opened up the defence with a powerful carry.

McCann added the extras before Kenya drew level midway through the first-half when full-back Faran Juma eased over a penalty.

Number eight Jacktone Omondi restored Kenya’s lead just before half-time when he crashed over from close-range but McCann reduced the gap to two points with a penalty five minutes after the interval.

Another pick-and-go try from Oduor, this time converted by scrum-half Patrick Wainaina put Kenya two scores clear, before McCann set up a tense final quarter when he struck with a 57th minute penalty.

That proved to be the last score but not the end of the action as Hong Kong China changed their entire front row to challenge Kenya’s set-piece dominance.

Kenya were penalised just as the clock turned red and Hong Kong launched a long and sustained attack which took them from their 22 deep into home territory before it was halted by Omolo with the penalty being followed by jubilant celebrations on and off the pitch.