Teikyo Win 8th Straight University Title

TOKYO (Jan. 9) – Teikyo University won their eighth straight collegiate title Monday thanks to a 33-26 win over Tokai University.

In a thrilling game played in front of 13,776, Masayuki Iwade’s side outscored Tokai five tries to four to ensure their season continues with at least one game in the season-ending All-Japan Championship, which also features the three top teams from the Top League.

A tight first half saw the teams turn around all square at 14-14 after Tokai had made the most of a good start by their forwards to score two tries through hooker Yuya Otsuka and No. 8 Tevita Tatafu.

But with Japan international and Teikyo flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda becoming more influential the longer the game went on, Iwade’s team hit back with tries from No. 8 Brodi McCurran and centre Hironori Yatomi.

Tokai regained the lead early in the second half when scrumhalf Atsushi Yumoto picked up an intercept on the halfway line and raced over, only for Teikyo to hit back with three tries in the space of 13 minutes.

The impressive Yatomi went over for his second following a good break through the middle by lock Kazuki Himeno, McCurran put wing Kyo Yoshida away in the 63rd minute before wing Koki Takeyama was adjudged to have touched down first following a clever kick from Matsuda.

A second try from Tatafu set up a grandstand finish. But Teikyo held on to deny Tokai a first-ever title and secure their eighth – third to  Waseda’s 15 and Meiji’s 12.