Yokohama TKM Take Out National Women’s Rugby Championship Title

This year’s Final of the National Women’s Rugby Championship was a battle of the Tamagawa River, the border that separates Tokyo to the north, from Kanagawa Prefecture in the south. Following a truly titanic match, Yokohama TKM from Kanagawa came out victorious 21-12, lifting the trophy for the very first time in the club’s history in front of more than 3,500 fans at Tokyo’s Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

While the final score might have indicated a more dominant display by TKM, the two sides were far closer than the scoreboard suggested. By the end of the first half, the girls from Yokohama held a slim 7-5 lead as the defensive efforts from both teams cancelled out each other’s attacking raids.

In a first half characterised by low scoring and solid defence, the opening try from TKM was clearly destined for the highlights real and featured no less than three test capped internationals from Japan, Fiji and France.

On the 23rd minute, after successfully running the ball deep into Artemis territory, TKM secured possession from the ruck, just to the right of the posts. Sending it out left to Sakura Fifteen flyhalf Minori Yamamoto, the number 10 shot the ball out deep and wide to fullback and Fijian international, Akanisi Sokolwasa.

She in turn sent it on to French international Yolaine Yengo on left wing who danced through the defence on her way to the try line. Brought down in a last-ditch, try-saving tackle, Yengo offloaded back inside to Sokolwasa, who in turn got the ball back to the flying flyhalf, Minori Yamamoto. Running a tremendous line, Yamamoto sliced through the defence to dot down unopposed.

While TKM’s first try took the honours for the play of the match, the girls from Artemis also put in a solid performance, with their 33-cap tighthead prop, Sachiko Kato leading from the front until she was replaced late in the second half. Her barging, aggressive runs in tight provided great go-forward and laid the foundation for a strong, all-round performance from the Artemis forward pack.

Another feature of the match was the accuracy and speed of both team’s catch-pass skills. While the dry, sunny conditions helped, the high level of fundamental rugby skill on display across the pitch was a credit to the players and their coaching teams.

With scores locked at 14-12 in TKM’s favour with seven minutes to go, the match was looking as it would go down to the wire. When the girls from Yokohama mounted another late attack with a forwards led surge at the Artemis tryline, the referee awarded a penalty against Artemis for collapsing the maul. From the ensuing TKM driving maul, the referee awarded a second penalty for the same offence.

In what would have been heartbreaking for the gallant Artemis players, the referee sent their scrumhalf to the bin and awarded TKM a penalty try. This was to be the last score of the match and took the final score out to 21-12.

As TKM celebrated their first ever all-Japan Championship victory, the players from Artemis were gracious in defeat, warmly congratulating their victorious opponents in a heartwarming display of Japan rugby’s No-Side Spirit.

Fans looking to see that match can catch a replay at Japan Rugby TV.