Panasonic Pick Up 5th Straight Win

TOKYO (Oct. 6) – Panasonic Wild Knights made it five Japan Rugby Top League wins from five games as they beat Honda Heat 41-12 Saturday at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium.

Harold Vorster and Atsushi Sakate both touched down twice and there were further five-pointers for Daniel Heenan, Ryuji Noguchi and Yuji Shimogama with Takuya Yamasawa adding three conversions as the Wild Knights made it 22 points from a possible 25.

Robbie Deans’ side top the White Conference, three points clear of Yamaha Jubilo, who beat Toshiba Brave Lupus 27-7.

Takeshi Hino, Gerrie Labuschagne, Matt McGahan and Fumihiro Yoshizawa all crossed the chalk for Yamaha after they had gone behind to an early try from Coenie van Wyk.

Ricoh Black Rams are third on 15 points after they lost 22-16 to Kubota Spears.

Kazuhiro Goya, Ei Kawamuko and Yuki Aoki scored Kubota’s tries with Gerhard van den Heever adding two conversions and a penalty.

Ricoh’s points came from a try by Tim Bateman and three penalties and a conversion from Bryce Hegarty.

In the day’s only game in the Red Conference, Toyota Verblitz defeated bottom side Munakata Sanix Blues 52-7 to leave Jake White’s side top ahead of Sunday’s four league games.

Verblitz’s South African contingent had a big day with Gio Aplon scoring two tries, Jason Jenkins and Clinton Swart one each and Lionel Cronje kicking six conversions.

Verblitz have 18 points, Kobe Kobelco Steelers have 15, with Suntory Sungoliath, Toyota Industries Shuttles and NTT Communications Shining Arcs all on 12.