Suntory survive scare to beat Coca-Cola

TOKYO (August 23) – Suntory Sungoliath survived a huge scare as they came from behind to beat Coca-Cola Red Sparks 17-13 on Saturday.

On day two of the opening weekend of the Japan Rugby Top League, the three-time champions were trailing 13-10 when the buzzer sounded for fulltime. But they kept the ball alive and Shuetsu Narita’s try, converted by Tusi Pisi saw them claim the win, with head coach Andy Friend admitting it was “a lucky escape.”

Narita was joined on the scoresheet by Takamichi Sasaki and Takaaki Nakazuru, with Solomon King crossing for the Red Sparks and Tetsuya Fukuda adding a conversion and two penalties.

Former Munster coach Rob Penney saw his NTT Communications Shining Arcs side beat newly promoted Munakata Sanix Blues 25-11.

Tries by Hayato Nishibashi, Ryo Tsuruda and Amanaki Lelei Mafi and two penalties and two conversions from former Springbok Elton Jantjies secured the victory for the Shining Arcs, their first ever win on opening weekend.

Meanwhile, Malaysian international Duke Krishnan bagged a brace of tries and Ayumu Goromaru banged over four penalties and three conversions as Yamaha Jubilo hammered Toyota Industries Shuttles 38-9. Masatoshi Miyazawa and Yuki Yatomi also bagged five-pointers, while Toyota’s points came via the boot of veteran Shotaro Onishi.

In the second game of the doubleheader in Tokyo, NEC Green Rockets powered past Kubota Spears 24-3. Koichi Ohigashi, Tsuyoshi Murata and Yuta Onodera all crossed for the Green Rockets with Yu Tamura adding three conversions and a penalty.

The opening weekend reaches its conclusion Sunday with Kobe Kobelco Steelers up against Ricoh Black Rams and Toyota Verblitz playing Canon Eagles.