Kobe Steel remain top of Pool A

TOKYO (Sept. 28) – Kobe Kobelco Steelers remain top of Pool A of the Japan Rugby Top League following a 31-21 win over Toyota Shokki Shuttles on Saturday.

The Steelers scored four tries in the first half through Kanzo Nakahama (2), Craig Wing and Andries Bekker with Kyohei Morita converting three and Daisuke Yamamoto one. They then held on for the win despite Mark Gerrard going over for his second try of the evening for the Shuttles.

The victory sees the Steelers on 19 points from a possible 20 after four games, two ahead of Suntory Sungoliath, who hammered Kyuden Voltex 47-17.
Scrumhalf turned wing Shuetsu Narita was Suntory’s hero, the Japan sevens representative crossing four times in the second half. Fellow wing Naoki Chono finished the day with a brace, while Ryan Nicholas weighed in with three conversions and two penalty goals.

NEC Green Rockets lie a further two points back after they beat fourth-placed NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 41-13. Shaun Webb dominated the scoring, touching down for a try and adding five conversions and two penalties from as many attempts.

“We showed some good composure when we needed to to close out the game,” said NEC coach Greg Cooper.

In the day’s other game in Pool A, NTT Communications Shining Arcs upset Toyota Verblitz 21-15, a result that sees both teams on nine points, one behind Docomo.

Yamaha Jubilo remain in second spot in Pool B after they beat Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 50-17, with Ayumu Goromaru making sure he got the better of his older brother (Cola replacement hooker Ryo) by knocking over six conversions and a penalty for 15 of Yamaha’s half century.

Canon Eagles moved temporarily into third place with an 18-17 win over Kintetsu Liners, though they could be overtaken by Panasonic Wild Knights or Kubota Spears, who play the final game of the weekend on Sunday.