Panasonic stay top with win over Toshiba

OTA, Gunma Prefecture (Dec. 22) – Two penalties from replacement flyhalf and man-of-the-match Nick Ealey helped Panasonic remain top of Group A in the Japan Rugby Top League as the Wild Knights held on to beat Toshiba Brave Lupus 14-12 on Sunday.

Ealey came on in the 50th minute to replace the injured Berrick Barnes and held his nerve to slot over two difficult kicks in the swirling wind.

They were to prove crucial as Toshiba had a chance to win the game right at the end, but Hiroki Yoshida’s penalty from 25 metres out on the angle drifted wide.

The victory, Panasonic’s fourth straight in the second stage lifts the Wild Knights to 22 points, three ahead of Suntory Sungoliath, who beat Toyota Verblitz 49-7.

Suntory ran in seven tries – all through their backs – and Ryan Nicholas added to his five-pointer with seven conversions, as the Sungoliath ensured Verblitz remain rooted to the bottom of the eight-team table with just one point.

Yamaha Jubilo are third in the standings on 18, three ahead of Toshiba with Kobelco Steelers fifth on 12 points following a 48-19 win over Canon Eagles.

The Steelers ran in eight tries against the Eagles with Yoshikazu Ohashi picking up a brace and Craig Wing weighing in with four conversions.

In the day’s only game in Group B, Kintetsu Liners topped Ricoh Black Rams 24-19, with Rico Gear scoring one of Kintetsu’s three tries.

The win sees the Liners go third on 17 points, one behind Kubota Spears and Toyota Shokki Shuttles, while Ricoh are fifth on 13.