13 December,2014
Panasonic back on top of Top League
TOKYO (Dec. 13) – Panasonic Wild Knights returned to the top of the Group A standings in the second stage of the 2014-15 Japan Rugby Top League season following a 29-27 win over Kobe Kobelco Steelers on Saturday.
With last week’s leaders Toshiba Brave Lupus falling 32-16 to Suntory Sungoliath in the first game of the day’s doubleheader at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, the Wild Knights’s victory leaves them on 14 points after three games.
Akihito Yamada, Shota Horie, JP Pietersen and Keita Onagaki all crossed with Berrick Barnes adding three conversions and a penalty as Panasonic turned around a 27-3 halftime deficit.
Kobe’s first-half points came from tries by Kanzo Nakahama. Andries Bekker and Rakuhei Yamashita, with Ryohei Yamanaka adding three conversions and two penalties.
Yamaha Jubilo are second in the rankings on 12 points following a 26-9 win over NTT Communications Shining Arcs, Ayumu Goromaru kicking four penalties and converting Chikara Ito’s five-pointer and a penalty try.
A hat trick of tries by Takaaki Nakazuru helped Suntory to their win over local rival Toshiba and they trail Yamaha on points difference. Toshiba, meanwhile drop from first to fourth on 11 points with Kobe a further two points behind.
Toyota Verblitz and Canon Eagles – who both have 6 points – play on Sunday.
Keegan Daniel and Isaia Toeava both picked up braces for Kubota as the Spears beat Munakata Sanix Blues 36-11 to go top of the rankings in the second tier Group B.
Kubota have 17 points, three more than NEC Green Rockets, who beat Coca-Cola Red Sparks 32-28 on the back of two tries by Nemani Nadolo.
Kintetsu Liners are third on 13 points after they edged NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 30-27 thanks to an 82nd minute penalty from Tadanobu Ko, who also scored a try and two conversions after coming on in the 56th minute.
NTT are a point behind Kintetsu and lead Ricoh on points difference ahead of the Black Rams’ game with Toyota Industries Shuttles on Sunday.