Big day for Kitagawa as Panasonic top Sanix

TOKYO (Sept. 21) Wins for Panasonic Wild Knights and NTT Communications Shining Arcs and a draw for Yamaha Jubilo combined to ensure Munakata Sanix Blues and Toyota Industries Shuttles cannot finish the first stage of the Japan Rugby Top League in the top four of Pool A and will play the second half of the season in the second tier.

Panasonic made sure it was a day to remember for Tomoki Kitagawa as he marked his 100th Top League game with four tries in the Wild Knights’ 80-7 defeat of Sanix.

The flying wing crossed three times in the first half and once in the second to make it 88 TL tries, second only to Hirotoki Onozawa (formerly with Suntory Sungoliath and now with Canon Eagles), who has 108.

George Whitelock crossed the whitewash three times for the Wild Knights and Berrick Barnes scored a try and four conversions after coming on as a replacement at halftime.

Panasonic move up to second in Pool A as a result of the win on 19 points, one point behind Toshiba Brave Lupus and ahead of Yamaha on points difference after Jubilo drew 28-28 Kubota Spears.

Kyosuke Horie crossed twice for Yamaha, his second five-pointer coming eight minutes from time to put two points behind the sides. Ayumu Goromaru then added the conversion to ensure both sides picked up three points.

Kubota are fifth on 11 points, five behind NTT Communications Shining Arcs, who secured a thrilling 32-21 win over NEC Green Rockets when Elton Jantjies banged over a drop goal five minutes from time.