Sungoliath Come from Behind to Beat Verblitz
KYOTO (0ct. 15) – Suntory Sungoliath remained unbeaten after 8 rounds of the Japan Rugby Top League but they were made to work very hard Sunday for their latest victory.
Keisuke Sawaki’s side scored three tries in the last 20 minutes to beat Toyota Verblitz 32-31 at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium as they came from 31-13 down to seal the points.
Daishi Murata, Yutaka Nagare and Koji Iino all crossed the whitewash as the game entered the final quarter with Kosei Ono’s conversion of Iino’s effort eventually proving to be the difference between the two sides.
Toyota had a chance to win it at the death when Lionel Cronje – who had earlier scored a try, set up another and kicked four conversions and a penalty goal – was handed a penalty opportunity from 45 metres out.
But the South African’s kick fell just short ensuring Suntory top the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24.
Toshiba Brave Lupus are fourth with 19 points after they won their third straight with a 32-18 defeat of NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, with Richard Kahui among the try scorers for Tomohiro Segawa’s men.
Meanwhile in the White Conference, Tamati Ellsion kickd three penalty goals and two conversions as Ricoh Black Rams defeated Kintetsu Liners 37-10 for their fifth win of the season.
The victory leaves Ricoh in third spot with 25 points, 15 behind leaders Panasonic Wild Knights who have a perfect 40 points from eight games and five behond Yamaha Jubilo.
NEC Green Rockets are fourth on 17 points thanks to a 28-27 win over Kubota Spears. Tatsuru Owada touched down twice for NEC with Yosuke Morita adding four conversions from as many attempts.
Canon Eagles’ 24-22 defeat of Munakata Sanix Blues sees them fifth on 13 points, a penalty from Ryohei Mitomo seven minutes from time being the difference between the sides.
This season the league has been split into two conferences.
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.
