Sanix win promotion to Top League

OSAKA (Jan. 26) – Fukuoka Sanix Blues won promotion to the Japan Rugby Top League on Sunday as they beat Honda Heat 30-16 to win Top Challenge One.

Both sides came into the tournament, which features the winners of the three regional leagues and the best runners-up, with two wins under their belt.

But it was Sanix who secured the automatic promotion place to ensure they make an immediate return to the top flight, having been relegated last season.

The Blues took an early 10-0 lead through a try by Yasutake Nagashita and a conversion and penalty from Hiroshi Tashiro.

But Honda stayed in the game with Takahiro Furuya knocking over two penalties either side of a second from Tashiro, as the sides went into the break with Sanix leading 13-6.

Benjamin Ray Yagi stretched Sanix’s lead with a try in the first minute of the second half, with Tashiro again adding the extras, before Honda closed to within four points on the back of a try by Nobutaka Ubukata, converted by Furuya, who also added a penalty.

But a try from Jacob Ellison and another conversion and penalty from Tashiro secured the win and the Top League place for the Top Kyushu champion.

Top West champ Honda can still get promoted if they beat NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, who finished 15th in the Top League, in the final round of playoffs.

In the game for third place, former Wales international Shane Williams scored five tries as Top East champion Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars hammered Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars 63-10.

The Dynaboars will play Coca-Cola West Red Sparks (14th in the TL), while the Atlastars will take on NTT Communications Shining Arcs (13th) in the final round of playoff games.