NTT Comms grab top 4 spot

TOKYO (Oct. 12) – NTT Communications Shining Arcs made sure they will finish in the top four of Pool A in the first stage of the 2014-15 Japan Rugby Top League season when they beat Yamaha Jubilo 29-26 on Sunday.

 
Yamaha, who were assured of a top four finish on Saturday when Kubota Spears went down to Toyota Industries Shuttles, led 21-3 with 26 minutes on the clock. But NTT fought back and tries by Kosuke Yamashita and Daisuke Kurihara, converted by Elton Jantjies and Yuki Kawamoto, respectively, sealed the victory for the Shining Arcs and a spot in the top group in the second stage.

Japan centre Male Sa’u marked his return from injury with a try for Jubilo, who picked up two bonus points and have 21 points the same as NTT, who bagged the full five on offer.

Toshiba Brave Lupus top the pool with 25 – one more than Panasonic Wild Knights – after they beat Munakata Sanix Blues 59-21.

Hiroki Yoshida touched down four times for the Brave Lupus and Richard Kahui and Taiki Matsunobu both bagged a brace as Toshiba made it five wins and loss.

Toshiba play Jubilo in the final round of first-stage matches, while Panasonic will take on NTT.

In Pool B, Canon Eagles went third with a 44-20 win over Coca-Cola Red Sparks.

Adam Thomson scored a hat trick of five pointers, to take his season tally to a league-leading nine, and former Japan captain Takashi Kikutani scored his first for his new club.

The Eagles are one of four sides looking to book a top four spot on the final weekend of the first stage along with Toyota Verblitz (18 points), Kintetsu Liners (17) and Ricoh Black Rams (13).