Sanix to face Honda for automatic promotion place

TOKYO (Jan, 19) – The race for the one automatic promotion spot to the Japan Rugby Top League will go down to the wire following the second round of matches in Top Challenge One on Sunday.

Top Kyushu champion Fukuoka Sanix Blues and Top West champ Honda Heat both picked up their second wins of the competition to set up a winner-takes-all clash next weekend.

Sanix ran in 17 tries in a 113-7 mauling of Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars, who reached the competition as the winner of Top Challenge Two, the tournament featuring the three best regional runners-up.

Akira Natomi picked up a hat-trick of tries and Hiroshi Tamura bagged a try and 11 conversions for the Blues.

Honda defeated Top East champion Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars 28-19 in the other game, meaning the likes of Shane Williams and Stephen Donald must now win a playoff game to ensure they can play Top League rugby next season.

Flyhalf Takahiro Furuya picked up a full house for Honda, with a try, two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal.

While the side finishing top of the group is automatically promoted, the three other sides are not completely out of the running.

The side finished second will play NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in a promotion/relegation playoff. The side finishing third will play Coca-Cola West Red Sparks, while the fourth side will take on NTT Communications Shining Arcs.