NTT Comms Top Kintetsu for 2nd Win of Season

TOKYO (Sept. 3) – NTT Communications Shining Arcs picked up their second win of the 2017-18 Japan Rugby Top League season Sunday thanks to a 36-10 victory over Kintetsu Liners.

An even first half that saw the teams turn around all square at 10-10 was followed by 40 minutes of NTT domination as the Shining Arcs ran in four second-half tries in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture.

The victory sees Ron Penney’s team move up to fourth spot in the Red Conference on 10 points, four behind Kobe Kobelco Steelers, who lead the group on points difference from Suntory Sungoliath, and one behind Toyota Verblitz.

Kintestu, who have one win and two losses to their name, are seventh in the Red pool with four points.

Hirotomo Ono bagged a brace of tries for the Shining Arcs and there were further five-pointers for Willie Britz, Ryo Tsuruda, Atsushi Yumoto and Jumpei Ogura with man-of-the-match Ogura also kicking three conversions.

The Liners’ points came from a try by Kentaro Inami, converted by Daisuke Noguchi, who also added a penalty goal.

There is a full slate of games next weekend, Sept. 8-9, before the league takes a break the following weekend.

Round 5 action resumes on Sept. 22-24.