Kobe remain unbeaten as Toshiba and Yamaha lose

Tokyo (Sept. 6) – Kobe Kobelco Steelers kept up their winning start to the 2014-15 Japan Rugby Top League season, while Yamaha Jubilo and Toshiba Brave Lupus suffered their first defeats of the season Saturday.

Two tries from Japan hooker Takeshi Kizu helped Kobe down Coca-Cola Red Sparks 31-0 as the Steelers went top of Pool B with 13 points.

Gary Gold’s team led just 5-0 at the break, thanks to Kizu’s first score in the 23rd minute, but they pulled away in the second half scoring a further four tries.

The win sees the Steelers lead Suntory Sungoliath by one point with Toyota Verblitz in third on 10 points following a 31-19 win over NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. Kintetsu Liners are fourth on eight points thanks to a 28-23 victory over Ricoh Black Rams.

Yamaha remain top of Pool A with 11 points despite their 14-9 defeat to reigning champions Panasonic Wild Knights. Panasonic centre Seiichi Shimomura scored the only try of the game through an intercept in a tight encounter at Yamaha Stadium.

Toshiba lost their chance to go top when they were upset 23-18 by Kubota Spears 23-18 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground. Former All Black Isaia Toeava and Kenta Tanaka crossed for the Spears with man-of-the-match Harumichi Tatekawa banging over three penalties and two conversions as Kubota picked up their first points of the campaign.

NTT Communications Shining Arcs joined Toshiba on 10 points after they beat Toyota Industries Shuttles 30-6, while Munakata Sanix Blues picked their first win of the new season edging NEC Green Rockets 36-31.