Kobe edge Ricoh on late penalty

TOKYO (August 24) – Kobe Kobelco Steelers edged Ricoh Black Rams 19-17 and Toyota Verblitz downed Canon Eagles 23-16 as the opening weekend of the 2014-15 Japan Rugby Top League reached its conclusion.

On a day the ancient capital of Kyoto was hit by torrential rain, running rugby was made almost impossible with the field at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium completely sodden.

Hideki Tanabe was Kobe’s hero, slotting over his fourth penalty of the day from 25 metres out with just two minutes remaining. The centre also converted Itaru Taniguchi’s try as the Steelers bounced back after trailing 10-6 at the break.

Ricoh’s points came from tries by Joshua Mau and Daisuke Komatsu with Dan Peters adding one penalty and two conversions, the second of which, a superb effort from the touchline, looked to have given Ricoh the win.

But the Black Rams were unable to keep possession from the restart and they paid for it when they were penalized at the breakdown, allowing Tanabe to clinch a first Top League victory for new coach Gary Gold.

Earlier, tries by debutants Derek Carpenter and Yoshizumi Takeda had seen Verblitz past the Eagles.

Takaya Monji added two conversions and three penalty goals for Toyota, while Canon’s points came from a try by Mitsugu Yamamoto and three penalties and a conversion from Ryohei Mitomo.