Ricoh win the Weider Japan Sevens

TOKYO (May 26) – Ricoh Black Rams won the Weider Japan Sevens on Sunday when they beat Toshiba Brave Lupus 28-26 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

Two tries by tournament MVP Shinichi Yokoyama, who also added two conversions, saw the Black Rams home in a thrilling final.

The victory earned the winners 1 million yen and Yokoyama said he hoped some of the winner would be used for charitable purposes in areas devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

“I am not sure where the money will go but I was born in Tohoku so I will ask the Ricoh office if some of it can be sent there,” he said.     

The game marked the last competitive game of Toshiba’s Tsutomu Matsuda, who hangs his boots up at the age of 43.

“He is a real legend,” said Yokoyama, whose twin Kenichi added a conversion for the winners.

Ricoh earned their spot in the final by beating NTT Communications Shining Arcs 21-7, Kobe Kobelco Steelers 24-17 and Suntory Sungoliath 33-21.

“We didn’t target the final, we just took each game as they came and did things simply. That’s why we won,” said Shinichi Yokoyama.    

Toshiba hammered Honda Heat 40-5, and then had a bye in the 12-team tournament to the semifinals where they beat NEC Green Rockets 26-14 in a bruising encounter.

“We weren’t originally invited to the tournament but got a place when other teams pulled out,” said coach Hiroyuki Tanuma. “I’m glad our young players did so well and am very happy for them.”

NTT Communications beat NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 19-17 in the consolation final.