Suntory Top Canon to Remain Unbeaten

KOFU, Japan (Oct. 2) – Round 5 action of the Japan Rugby Top League reached its conclusion Sunday with contrasting results for the two teams based in the Tokyo suburb of Fuchu.

Suntory Sungoliath maintained their unbeaten start to the season as they came from behind to defeat Canon Eagles 37-22. But local rivals Toshiba Brave Lupus fell to their second loss of the season, going down 31-21 to hosts Munakata Sanix Blues.

Suntory’s win sees them on 22 points, two behind league leaders Yamaha Jubilo and three ahead of Kobe Kobelco Steelers, who both won on Saturday.

Sanix, meanwhile jump to fourth on 16 points, a point ahead of Panasonic Wild Knights and Toyota Verblitz, thanks to their fourth victory of the season.

At Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium, Canon got out of the blocks quickest with Yusuke Niwai crossing in the first minute, and the Eagles went on to lead 17-13 at the break.

But Suntory dominated the second stanza with Takaaki Nakazuru bagging a brace of tries and man-of-the-match Kotaro Matsushima also crossing the chalk.

At Global Arena, Toshiba led 21-12 at the break thanks to tries by Richard Kahui, Takahiro Ogawa and Coenraad van Wyk.

But they were held scoreless in the second half as Sanix picked up a further three tries, Andrew Everingham, Kohei Hamazato and man-of-the-match Nobuyoshi Arai adding to first half efforts from Benjamin Ray Yagi and Kota Kumamoto.

Round 6 action sees five games played on Oct. 8, with a further three a day later.