Canon, Kubota record thrilling wins

TOKYO (Sept. 14) – Sunday’s two games in the Japan Rugby Top League both proved to be close affairs that went down to the wire.

In Pool A, a penalty goal by Harumichi Tatekawa four minutes after the final hooter helped Kubota Spears top NTT Communications Shining Arcs 29-27, while in Pool B, Canon Eagles held on to beat Kintetsu Liners 36-31.

In a tight affair that never saw more than seven points between the two teams, a try in the 66th minute by NTT replacement Amanaki Lelei Mafi – who was recently included in the Japan squad that will train in Tokyo from Sept. 21-23 – saw the Shining Arcs pull to within a point at 26-25. Elton Jantjies then banged over the conversion to hand Rob Penney’s team the lead, which they held until the hooter sounded.

But the Spears managed to keep the alive for a further four minutes and work themselves upfield and were eventually awarded the penalty. Tatekawa duly kept his nerve to bang over his fourth penalty of the day and ensure Toutai Kefu’s men picked up their second straight victory.

NTT’s bonus point for losing by seven or less sees them remain in fourth spot on 11 points, while Kubota jump to fifth on 8.

Ryohei Mitomo grabbed a try, four conversions and a penalty goal and 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Adam Thomson picked up his fifth try of the fledgling season as Canon picked up their second win – the five points helping them move into fourth spot in Pool B.

Kintetsu picked up two bonus points for their efforts to take them to 10 (two less than Canon) and fifth spot, thanks to an 82nd minute try by Kohei Yamaguchi, converted by Yasumasa Shigemitsu. The Liners’ other tries came via a brace from Gene Fairbanks and one by former Wallaby Radike Samo.