Japan ends year in style with win over Spain

MADRID (Nov. 23) – Japan scored four unanswered second-half tries to ensure they finished their European tour and 2013 international season in style as they beat Spain 40-7 on Saturday.

Turning around a the break at Madrid Ciudad Universitaria Stadium, leading just 15-7, the Brave Blossoms finally kicked into gear in the second half. Michael Broadhurst picked up a brace of tries and Shota Horie and Toshiaki Hirose also crossed the whitewash as Japan’s courageous approach to the game was finally rewarded after a first-half dominated by the boot. Ayumu Goromaru finished the day with 20 points courtesy of six penalties and a conversion.

The win was Japan’s ninth of the year, against five losses, and came at the end of a busy November that saw the side play a test against New Zealand in Tokyo, two tests and a midweek game in the space of six days in the United Kingdom before wrapping things up a week later in the Spanish capital.

Japan started well but were up against an opposition intent on slowing things down and their only reward for their endeavours were four penalties from Goromaru in the opening 23 minutes.

In a niggly game, it was only time before referee Joaquin Montes started reaching into his pocket and the first two cards of the game were handed to Japan.

Spain made the most of Luke Thompson’s sin-binning in the 32nd minute to create a try for Cesar Sempere, converted by Mariano Garcia. But Japan fought back and a fifth penalty from Goromaru saw Japan lead by eight points at the break.

The second half started with Hisateru Hirashima sent to the sin bin but that only seemed to fire up the Brave Blossoms and Horie started the rout with a try three minutes later.

Goromaru added a sixth penalty in the 54th minute before it was Spain’s turn to upset the referee with two yellow cards in quick succession, and Japan made the most of their numerical advantage with Broadhurst crossing twice before Hirose wrapped things up with a try 11 minutes from time.