The Kenya Simbas campaign at the World Cup repêchage ended with a 22-18 defeat to Hong Kong in Dubai.
At the culmination of a turbulent week that saw the players down their tools, the East Africans put up a gallant display before running out of steam in the final quarter of the match.
Paul Odera's charges started well with inside centre John Okoth and winger Jacob Ojee scoring a try each as flyhalf Geoffrey Ominde added a conversion and two penalties.
Luke Van Der Smit crashed over for the Asian outfit with Gregor Mcneish converting as Kenya led 18-7 at the break.
On resumption, Hong Kong came out guns blazing with Mcneish reducing the deficit with a well-taken penalty to 18-10.
They piled on the pressure thereafter with Sean Taylor grabbing a five-pointer which went unconverted to bring themselves to within a point of the Simbas.
Jack Lam proved the difference as he scored the winning try to snuff out any hopes of a Kenyan upset in the sweltering Dubai heat.
