Panasonic Run in 7 Tries in Win Over Toshiba

TOKYO (Sept. 1) – Panasonic Wild Knights made it three straight bonus point wins to start the 2017-18 Japan Rugby Top League season Friday as they beat Toshiba Brave Lupus 47-10.

Robbie Deans’ side ran in seven tries at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground to go top of the White Conference with 15 points.

“I am very proud of the effort. That was one of the better days at the office,” Deans said.

Rikiya Matsuda touched down twice and there were further five-pointers for Daniel Heenan, Asaeli Ai Valu, Yasutaka Sasakura, Akihito Yamada and Takuya Yamasawa.

A strong swirling wind and slippery conditions underfoot meant kicking was difficult as Berrick Barnes added just a penalty and two conversions. Yamasawa also weighed in with a penalty and Matsuda slotted a conversion.

For Toshiba, who led 10-0 early in the first half, Takahiro Ogawa kicked a penalty and added the extras to Kai Ishii’s try.

Top League action continues Saturday with the Suntory Sungoliath vs Yamaha Jubilo game expected to be a sell out in Tokyo.

That game is one of six played across Japan with a further match to be played Sunday.

This season the 16 teams have been split into two conferences – Red and White.

Teams play the seven other sides in their conference plus six from the other group to determine the rankings for the end of season playoffs, with the top four sides competing for the league title, which doubles as the All-Japan Championship.