Yamaha Get the Better of NEC

AKITA, Japan (Oct. 8) – Yamaha Jubilo ensured they finished Round 7 of the 2017-18 Japan Rugby Top League season in second place in the White Conference thanks to a 35-15 win over NEC Green Rockets on Sunday.

Japan internationals Yuki Yatomi and Male Sa’u both scored two tries at Akigin Stadium and Chikara Ito grabbed a late five-pointer with Ayumu Goromaru converting all five tries.

Rio Olympian Teruya Goto and George Risale touched down for the Green Rockets with Yosuke Morita adding a penalty and conversion.

The victory, Yamaha’s fifth of the season, lifts Jubilo to 25 points, 10 behind Panasonic Wild Knights, who head the White Conference and five ahead of third-placed Ricoh Black Rams.

NEC, who have three wins and four losses to their name, are fourth with 13 points.

This season the league has been split into two conferences, White and Red.

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.

Suntory head the Red Conference with 34 points with Kobe Kobelco Steelers second on 28 points and Toyota Verblitz third with 23.