29 November,2014
Panasonic give Shimomura plenty of reasons to celebrate
TOKYO (Nov. 29) – Panasonic Wild Knights made sure it was a day to remember for former captain Seiichi Shimomura as they beat Toyota Verblitz 30-10 in their first game of the second stage of the 2014-15 Japan Rugby Top League season.
Shimomura was playing his 100th Top League game and the victory means the Wild Knights top the standings after the first round of action in Group A, thanks to the four bonus points they started the stage with – as a result of finishing the first half of the season top of their pool – and the five points they picked up Saturday.
Tomoki Kitagawa grabbed a brace of tries and Tadasuke Nishihara and Ryu Koliniasi Holani also touched down for the reigning champions.
Toshiba Brave Lupus are second on seven points after they ended Kobe Kobelco Steelers’ unbeaten run.
Tries by Tomohiro Senba and Steven Bates in the final 11 minutes secured the win for the Brave Lupus as Kobe tasted defeat for the first time this season.
Suntory Sungoliath are third, also on seven points, after they beat Yamaha Jubilo 16-12 thanks to a superb individual try from Kotaro Matsushima, while Canon Eagles are fourth on six points following their win on Friday night over NTT Communications Shining Arcs.
Kubota Spears top the second-tier Group B after they opened their campaign with an 18-8 victory over Coca-Cola Red Sparks.
The Spears have eight points as do Kintetsu Liners, who edged NEC Green Rockets 12-8.
NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes provided the upset of the day as they beat Toyota Industries Shuttles 38-17 to move third on six points.
Ricoh Black Rams and Munakata Sanix Blues conclude the weekend’s action on Sunday.