Brave Lupus mark Oto’s milestone with win

TOKYO (Sept. 27) – Toshiba Brave Lupus made it a day to remember for Nataniela Oto as they beat Ricoh Black Rams 26-11 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on Friday night as the Japan Rugby Top League resumed action following a one-week break.

Oto took to the field in the 58th minute to become the first foreign born player to play 100 Top League games, ironically replacing Tomoaki Nagai, who was the first player to enter the centurion club.

“We were emotionally up for it today,” said Toshiba flyhalf David Hill. “We all know what Oto stands for and the type of person he is and what he means to the team.”

In a stop-start affair Toshiba owed their win to their defence, as the Ricoh pack dominated for long periods.

“They say defence wins games and we proved that today,” said Toshiba flanker Steven Bates, who finished the day with two tries to his name.

Tomoki Yoshida and Bates both crossed in the first half, with Hill converting both tries as Toshiba led 14-6 at the break, Ricoh’s points coming from penalties by Takuya Takahira and Yoshimitsu Kawano.

The second half was almost a mirror image of the first as Ricoh dominated possession only to see Toshiba score when Hitoshi Ono dived over in the 69th minute.

Shori Hoshino’s try in the 74th minute gave the Black rams a glimmer of hope, but Bates’ second two minutes from time, converted by Yoshikazu Morita, ensured Toshiba picked up a bonus point.

“Toshiba are the most physical team in Japan and we just made too many mistakes,” rued Ricoh captain Fumiya Santoh.