Panasonic End Suntory’s Winning Streak
KUMAGAYA, Japan (Oct. 21) – Panasonic Wild Knights ended Suntory Sungoliath’s long unbeaten run on Saturday and ensured they head into the five-week autumn break as the only unbeaten team in the Japan Rugby Top League.
Tries from in-from wings Kenki Fukuoka and Akihito Yamada helped Robbie Deans’ team to a 21-10 win at Kumagaya Athletic Stadium, the first time Suntory have lost in the league since Dec. 26, 2015.
Rikiya Matsuda kicked two penalties and a conversion for the Wild Knights and Berrick Barnes a penalty as Panasonic made it 44 points from a possible 45 to head the White Conference.
Suntory, for whom, Chihito Matsui touched down twice, lead the Red Conference with 38 points.
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.
Yamaha are second in the White Conference with 35 points following their 35-5 win over Kubota Spears.
Ayumu Goromaru scored a try and had a perfect day with the boot banging over five conversions for Jubilo, who are 10 points ahead of Ricoh Black Rams, who play Kobe Kobelco Steelers on Sunday,
Kobe are currently second in the Red Conference, equal with Toyota Verbltz on 28 points but with a better points difference.
On Saturday, Verblitz beat Toyota Industries Shuttles 33-24 with Rugby World Cup 2007 winner Juan Smith handed the Verblitz captaincy to mark his final game of rugby before heading into retirement.
Smith was unable to get on the scoresheet but regular club captain Kazuki Himeno, who started the game on the bench, was one of the five Verblitz try scorers.
Toshiba Brave Lupus are four points back in fourth place in the Red group after they came from behind to beat Munakata Sanix Blues 34-20.
Takehisa Usuzuki touched down twice for Toshiba and Coenraad van Wyk weighed in with a try, conversion and penalty goal.
Jumpei Ogura finished the day with a try and seven conversions to his name as NTT Communications Shining Arcs beat Coca-Cola 76-7 to ensure the Red Sparks remain the only side in the league without a win, while NEC Green Rockets downed Kintetsu Liners 17-10 to go fourth in the White Conference with 21 points.