JRLO Round 1 Recap: Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse scores on league debut for Dynaboars
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By JRLO Media
Round One – Division One
Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay 30 – 27 Toyota Verblitz
A dramatic match in Tokyo saw Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay clinch a 30-27 win over Toyota Verblitz in injury time. Despite out-scoring their rivals five tries to three, the Spears relied on ex-Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley, who converted Merwe Olivier's 75th-minute try to level the scores before sealing the game with an 83rd-minute drop goal. Toyota’s new signings, including Rikiya Matsuda and Joseph Manu, impressed but could not secure the victory.
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 28 – 21 Yokohama Canon Eagles
Defending champions Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo staged a second-half comeback at Nissan Stadium to defeat Yokohama Canon Eagles 28-21. Trailing 16-7 at halftime, Toshiba surged ahead with tries from All Blacks stars Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell, overcoming Yokohama's early momentum fueled by returning Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk's first-half try.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars 31 – 19 Urayasu D-Rocks
The Dynaboars overcame an 11-9 halftime deficit to dominate the second half and secure a 31-19 win over the Urayasu D-Rocks. Debuting Springbok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse contributed one of the four second-half tries, marking a strong start to the season for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara.
Mie Honda Heat 23 – 21 Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
Mie Honda Heat edged Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo in a dramatic 23-21 victory. Manu Vunipola nailed an 81st-minute penalty to give Honda their first lead of the match. Despite two debut tries from Ricoh's Liam Gill, late scores from Larry Sulunga and Pablo Matera kept Honda in contention before Vunipola's decisive kick.
Shizuoka Blue Revs 15 – 13 Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Shizuoka Blue Revs triumphed 15-13 over Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Suzuka. The Steelers led 13-3 at halftime, but red and yellow cards for Gerard Cowley-Tuioti and Ngani Laumape left them vulnerable. Late tries from Valynce Te Whare and Vueti Tupou secured a stunning comeback for the Blue Revs.
Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights 33 – 12 Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath
Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights continued their dominance over Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath with a convincing 33-12 win. Tomoki Osada scored two first-half tries, while Jack Cornelsen, Lachlan Boshier, and Vince Aso added to the tally, ensuring a perfect start for last season's finalists.
Division Two
Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi 24 – 20 Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
Freddie Burns starred in Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi's 24-20 upset win over Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in Osaka. Burns scored 19 points, including two tries, as the Shuttles built a 24-8 lead before holding off a late comeback by Hanazono.
Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex 27 – 23 Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves
Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex edged Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves 27-23 in Fukuoka. The Seawaves played most of the game with 14 men after Gosuke Kawakami's red card, allowing the Voltex to capitalize with four tries during his absence. Despite a spirited Seawaves rally, the Voltex held on for the win.
Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks 25 – 24 Hino Red Dolphins
Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks narrowly defeated Hino Red Dolphins 25-24 after the Dolphins' Keita Doi missed a late penalty that could have secured the win.
NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes Osaka 34 – 13 NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu suffered a heavy 34-13 loss to NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes Osaka. Wayne Pivac's side continued their struggles, extending their losing streak to six games across two seasons.
Division Three
Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima 61 – 26 Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions
Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima delivered a commanding 61-26 win over Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions in the Hiroshima derby. Andrew Davidson scored twice as Mazda piled on eight tries in an impressive opening performance.
Yakult Levins Toda 25 – 17 LeRIRO Fukuoka
Yakult Levins Toda started their season with a 25-17 victory over LeRIRO Fukuoka. Levins hooker Kosetsu Kawachi stood out, scoring the season's first hat trick.
SECOM Sayama Rugguts 24 – 15 Kurita Water Gush Akishima
SECOM Sayama Rugguts secured a 24-15 win over Kurita Water Gush Akishima, rounding out an exciting weekend of Division Three action.
Round One Results
Division One:
- Mie Honda Heat 23, Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo 21 (Suzuka)
- Shizuoka Blue Revs 15, Kobelco Kobe Steelers 13 (Shizuoka)
- Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights 33, Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath 12 (Tokyo)
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars 31, Urayasu D-Rocks 19 (Kanagawa)
- Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay 30, Toyota Verblitz 27 (Tokyo)
- Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 28, Yokohama Canon Eagles 21 (Kanagawa)
Division Two:
- Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi 24, Hanazono Kintetsu Liners 20 (Osaka)
- Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex 27, Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves 23 (Fukuoka)
- Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks 25, Hino Red Dolphins 24 (Gunma)
- NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes Osaka 34, NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu 13 (Osaka)
Division Three:
- Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima 61, Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions 26 (Hiroshima)
- Yakult Levins Toda 25, LeRIRO Fukuoka 17 (Fukuoka)
- SECOM Sayama Rugguts 24, Kurita Water Gush Akishima 15 (Tochigi)
The league resumes next weekend with more exciting matchups across all divisions.
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