Month: December 2024

 (Written by Azul: December 24, 2024)

On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the 3rd round of the National University Rugby Championship was held at Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

The weather was fine, but a very strong northerly wind was blowing, and this wind was expected to affect the development of the game.

The following 12 teams have advanced to the third round of the 2024 National University Rugby Championships.

Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group 5 Schools

1st : Waseda University

2nd : Teikyo University

3rd : Meiji University

4th : Keio Gizyuku University

5th : Aoyama Gakuin University

Kanto University Rugby League Group 3 Schools

1st : Daito Bunka University

2nd : Toyo University

3rd : Tokai University

Kansai University A League 3 schools

1st : Tenri University

2nd : Kyoto Sangyo University

3rd : Kinki University

Kyushu Student Rugby League 1st place

1st : Fukuoka Institute of Technology

Remarks:

For leagues with many participating universities, the top 3 schools will be eligible to participate. In addition to this, the league to which the winning team of the previous year belonged will receive one slot, and the team to which the runner-up team belonged will receive one slot. Last season, both of the schools that qualified for the finals were in the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group, so this season, the group has 5 spots available.

The temperature at the start of the match was 11 degrees Celsius, but due to the strong northerly wind, the temperature felt much lower.

The cheerleaders of Toyo University were cheering at the game site. When I came to watch the game on November 24, the cheerleaders of Hosei University were cheering in short sleeves and skirts, but the cheerleaders of Toyo University were fully warmed up on this day.

Now, here is the latest information on the two teams that will play on this day.

First, here is the latest information on the Toyo University rugby team, which finished second in the Kanto University League Group and qualified for this national championship.

This will be the Toyo University Rugby Club’s second appearance in the National Championship after being promoted to the first division of the Kanto University League Group in 2022. In 2022, their first appearance in the championship, they lost to Waseda University in the third round. If they win this match, they will advance to the quarterfinals of the University Championship for the first time in their history. Toyo University’s style of rugby play is characterized by the “attack is the best defense. Even against strong teams, Toyo University has been able to score many points by placing physical and superior players in key positions. However, while the team has an excellent attack, they also lose a lot of scores. They are good at scoring points against each other, but they are not good at scoring points against strong defenses. Will they be able to maintain their own fighting style against Keio University?

The starting lineup for the match was as follows.

Toyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Seita KASAMAKI	175cm	108kg	21	Captain
2	Shuto KOIZUMI	171cm	100kg	20
3	Makito ISHIKAWA	184cm	115kg	22
4	Daichi KURIHARA	192cm	95kg	21
5	Juan OOSTHUYZEN	211cm	132kg	22
6	Taketo MAEKAWA	173cm	97kg	22
7	Miu Austin MORIYAMA	181cm	108kg	21
8	Shu UEDA	186m	95kg	21
9	Asahi IKUTA	165m	72kg	18
10	Shinsuke AMO	174cm	83kg	21
11	Marks MAURICE	179cm	89kg	23
12	Adam TAMATI	185cm	97kg	21
13	Kodai SATO	173cm	79kg	21
14	Yohei BOND	180cm	87kg	22
15	Kohaku SAKAMOTO	168cm	72kg	19

** Player to watch **

(The lifted player in the center of the photo is KURIHARA)

Daichi KURIHARA. 192 cm, 95 kg, 21 years old. He is a graduate of Isesaki Koyo High School. He started playing rugby in high school, but his alma mater was a no-name high school at the one-win level in the prefectural qualifying rounds. However, he was tall, so some university officials invited him to join the team, but he says, “I thought I wouldn’t be good enough, so I didn’t want to go on to higher education and play. However, he was enthusiastically invited by Toyo University coach Fukunaga and joined the Toyo University Rugby Club. At first, he could barely keep up with practice, but from his second year he was used as a starter and is now an unshakable regular player. A gem in the rough that shines when polished is a player like him.

Next, an update on the Keio Gizyuku University Rugby Club.

Keio Gizyuku University Rugby Club, a school with roots in Japanese rugby, has been participating in the National University Rugby Championship this season as the fourth place team in the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group. Although the team does not recruit a large number of Japan’s U-18 national team players like other strong universities, the tradition of training the players who have come to Keio to face strong teams is still alive and well. Since the team is inevitably inferior to the stronger schools in terms of individual breakthrough ability, the entire team tactics are incorporated into each individual player, and the whole team stands up to the challenge. The fighting spirit, traditionally known as “soul rugby,” is still alive and well this season.

This day’s starting lineup is as follows.

Keio Gizyuku University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Yugo IBUKI	175cm	98kg	19
2	Taiki NAKAYAMA	176cm	105kg	22	Captain
3	Takashi YOSHIMURA	177cm	108kg	22
4	Kenta NAKAYA	183cm	103kg	22
5	Yuki ASAI	188cm	108kg	22
6	Masanori NAKANO	176cm	101kg	18
7	Eitetsu TANUMA	176cm	95kg	22
8	Mansaku TOMINAGA	188cm	106kg	22
9	Yamato KOJO	168cm	72kg	22
10	Kentaro WADA	168cm	70kg	19
11	Shinnosuke ISHIGAKI	175cm	80kg	21
12	Ryohei IMANO	183cm	90kg	21	U18,U20 Japan,JJ
13	Kousuke MURATA	174cm	85kg	22
14	Ryo HIROSE	179cm	78kg	21
15	Ou IBUKI	176cm	81kg	21

** Player to watch **

(The player with the number 12 in the photo above is IMANO)

Ryohei IMANO. 183 cm, 90 kg, 21 years old. He is a graduate of Toin Gakuen High School. Position = SO, CTB, WTB, FB. U18, U20 Japan, Junior Japan. He was a national champion in his high school years, and later represented Japan in each generation of the national team. After entering Keio University, he quickly became an unshakable regular and is expected to lead the team as a BK leader.

He is a gem of a BK player with a good combination of running, offense, and defense, and we hope that he will aim for the Japan national team in the future.

Now, let the game begin.

5 minutes into the first half:

Toyo University kicked off from the downwind side, and the game got underway. As expected, the ball kicked by Keio University, which was upwind, went the distance. Keio University pushed deep into enemy territory, but Toyo University committed an infringement and Keio University opted for a penalty kick, resulting in a own ball lineout inside the 22m line.

Keio University secured the ball, and after a maul, they surged forward and scored the first try in the middle left of the enemy’s in-goal. The try was scored by Keio University hooker NAKAYAMA.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-7.

20 minutes into the first half:

In the early stages of the match, Keio University showed good movement in the densely packed field.

Although Toyo University was taller and heavier than the Keio’s FWs as a whole, Keio University had the advantage in terms of the speed with which they were able to gather and disperse into the densely-packed area. After taking the ball in the enemy territory, they gradually advanced and closed in on the enemy’s in-goal. From the dense in-goal area, Keio University’s SH KOJO moved to the left, cut in, and CTB IMANO scored a try to the left side of the goalposts.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-12 and giving Keio University the lead.

22 minutes into the first half:

Keio University kicked the ball back from the restart kick-off after the try, but Toyo University FB Sakamoto mishandled the ball and when he caught it, his foot went off the line. This resulted in Keio University having their own ball lineout deep in enemy territory. From there, Keio University secured the ball, and it was spread out to the right, where Keio University’s CTB IMANO scored his second try of the day, right under the goal post.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-21.

32 minutes into the first half:

Toyo University had the advantage in the set piece scrum, but in the densely packed battle, Keio University overwhelmed them with their concentration and took the ball away from them. This allowed Keio University to constantly attack in the enemy territory. Keio University steadily approached the enemy’s in-goal, and finally, Keio University lock NAKAYA scored a try on the right side of the goal post.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 0-28, with Keio University taking a massive lead and the game looking like a one-sided affair.

36 minutes into the first half:

Toyo University was unable to stop Keio University’s continuous attacks, and was almost glued to its own territory in the first half. Keio University’s attacks gradually became bolder and faster. Keio University kicked the ball behind the enemy defensive net, which was secured by Toyo University’s FL MORIYAMA, but he was pushed out of position in front of the in-goal, resulting in a lineout for Keio University to own the ball. From here, Keio University’s FW made a series of side attacks, and Keio University’s FL NAKANO scored a try at the left corner of the goal post.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-35.

39 minutes into the first half:

Keio University won a tight battle in the closing minutes of the first half, and their BK made more gains, closing in on the enemy’s in-goal. Toyo University managed to get the ball back in front of the in-goal, where SO AMOU of Toyo University kicked to WTB MARKS, who was stationed at the left corner of the in-goal. MARKS caught the ball and ran about 100 meters from his own in-goal to the enemy’s in-goal to score a try, a masterpiece of individual skill by MARKS.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 7-35.

The first half ended with the score 7-35.

In this match, it was evident that Keio University had studied Toyo University’s tactics well before the game.

Toyo University was scored many points against lower-ranked teams when looking at points scored. This was a result of Toyo University’s lack of tenacity in defense.

Next, Toyo University has strong runners in key positions, and they show their strength when they go on the attack, so it was necessary to reduce the opportunities for Toyo University to attack. From this point of view, Keio University dominated the ball battle in the dense first half and did not hand the ball over to Toyo University.

Toyo University had one weapon in their attack, the counter attack by FB Sakamoto, but Keio University crushed it at every opportunity and scored points of their own. This was made possible by the fact that Toyo University’s FB Sakamoto was not likely to kick the ball back, but rather to run with it almost 100% of the time.

Toyo University finally got a shot in the arm at the end of the first half, and will they be able to get back on track in the second half with the wind in their sails?

Toyo University sent a cheering section to this match, which means that Toyo University considers this match as one of the obstacles. They lost in the third round of the University Championship the year before last, so a win here would make new history for the Toyo University Rugby Club. Will the Toyo University Rugby Club be able to live up to the cheers and expectations of this cheering section?

Now, let the second half begin.

7 minutes into the second half:

At the start of the game, Toyo University entered the enemy territory and tried to break through with their key attacking player, an international student player. However, in a densely packed battle, the ball was won back by Keio University. Toyo University continued to attack, with the FWs pushing forward on the crowded side of the field, but Keio University’s tight defense in front of the in-goal made it difficult for them to score. In this situation, Toyo University continued to attack in the same pattern, and Keio University’s WTB ISIGAKI read the flow of the pass, intercepted it, and ran 100 meters across the left side of the field to score a try.

The conversion goal after the try failed, but Keio University scored the first points of the second half to make the score 7-40.

16 minutes into the second half:

Although they were unable to score any points in the middle of the half, Toyo University began to attack for a longer period of time in the second half. In such a situation, Toyo University approached the enemy’s in-goal, continued the attack, and turned the ball to the right corner where WTB MARKS scored his second try of the day.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 14-40.

21 minutes into the second half:

Keio University had their first chance to attack in the second half in a while. Keio University secured the ball in their own lineout, and through a gap in the Toyo University defense, Keio University’s SH KOJOH slipped through and scored a try in the middle of the enemy in-goal on the left side of the field.

The conversion goal after the try was missed, but the score was 14-45.

26 minutes into the second half:

At this point in the second half, Keio University began to attack more and more. Keio University continued to attack in the enemy territory, making progress through a series of minor line breaks and closing in on the enemy in-goal, where lock ASAI scored a try in the middle left of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try failed, and the score was 14-50. Before the match, Toyo University was said to have the advantage, but the atmosphere of a convincing victory for Keio University was becoming stronger.

30 minutes into the second half:

Towards the end of the match, Toyo University’s original attacking momentum returned. With strong individual contact, they were able to accumulate gains and maintain rhythm while attacking in succession.

When Toyo University had a lineout opportunity in front of the enemy in-goal, they lost their hesitation and formed a maul, then drove left and right to score a try by hooker KOIZUMI.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 21-50.

Go, Toyo University! Don’t give up until the end.

40 minutes left in the second half

Time was running out, but Toyo University continued to push forward for a try to show their final determination. Toyo University came close to the enemy’s in-goal many times, but Keio University’s defense kept bouncing them back. However, the ball finally went to Toyo University’s WTB MARKS, who had scored two tries on the day, and MARKS dragged Keio University’s tacklers behind him to score a try right in the middle of the in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was missed, but the score was 26-50.

In the end, the game ended here, and Keio University beat Toyo University to advance to the third round.

In this third-round match, Keio University was expected to have a tough time according to pre-match previews, but they showed their match mastery and made an impressive advance to the quarterfinals. Toyo University, on the other hand, lost in the third round to a team from the Kanto University rivalry group, as they had done the year before last. However, many of the regulars on this year’s team are underclassmen, and we hope that they will make the most of their experience this time and grow a lot for the next season.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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Daito Bunka University vs Hosei University

(Written by AZUL: December 7, 2024)

The Kanto University Rugby League Group has finally reached its 7th and final match. In the 6th round, the top four teams all lost their matches, which was a big upset, and the top positions changed drastically. As of the end of Section 6, the league group standings are as follows. The top five schools had a chance to win the championship.

	Kanto University Rugby League Group Order 2024
order	team	Win	Even	Lose	Winning Point
1	Ryutsu Keizai	4	0	2	26
1	Daito Bunka	4	1	1	26
3	Toyo	4	0	2	24
3	Tokai	3	1	2	24
3	Hosei	4	0	2	24
6	Nihon	2	0	4	16
6	Rissho	2	0	4	16
8	Kanto Gakuin	0	0	5	2

Daito Bunka University and Hosei University played each other on this day, and in the last four years, Hosei University has had the upper hand in the matchups, winning 3 and Daito Bunka University winning 1. Both schools were cheering enthusiastically for their team to win the league group championship and participate in the University Championships, which was at stake in this match. Hosei University’s cheering group was noticeable from the right end of the back stand where I was sitting.

Here are the two schools that will be playing against each other on this day.

First, an update on Hosei University, currently in third place.

Hosei University was in its final match, and KIM, the team’s captain and SO, who has been the team’s commanding force, was unable to play in this match due to injury. Therefore, sophomore SUZUKI was chosen as the substitute SO. Suzuki is a regular player who has been playing in official matches since he was a freshman, so he was expected to be able to play as a substitute. The rest of the team members were unchanged from the previous game. WTB KOBAYASHI will be the game captain for this match.

The starting lineup for this day’s match is as follows.

Hosei University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Fuminari MORIYASU	172cm	107kg	19
2	Yuta HANAZAWA	175cm	108kg	19
3	Meishi WATANABE	171cm	106kg	22
4	Kota YAMAUCHI	189cm	100kg	20
5	Kanta HOSOKAWA	185cm	103kg	20
6	Kuu OSAWA	172cm	90kg	19
7	Kanta MIURA	184cm	78kg	20
8	Kohki MIYASHITA	187cm	110kg	20	U18,U20Japan
9	Yugo OYAMADA	170cm	70kg	21	U18 Japan
10	Sota SUZUKI	173cm	82kg	20
11	Masaharu KOBAYASHI	173cm	81kg	21
12	Taisei TANAKA	176cm	91kg	21
13	Shun NAKAI	172cm	84kg	22
14	Yuzuto SUMIKAMA	174cm	99kg	19
15	Takuru KITAGAWA	170cm	78kg	21

** Player to watch **

Yugo OYAMADA. 170 cm, 70 kg, 21 years old. His father, Atushi OYAMADA, played for Toshiba Fuchu and played CTB for Japan. He is also an aggressive player who can find open space in the opposition’s ranks and use run play to try to break through. Will he be able to lead his alma mater to the university championship in the 100th anniversary year of the Hosei University Rugby Club?

Next up is the Daito Bunka University Rugby Club, which stands at the top of the Kanto University Rugby League group this season.

Daito Bunka University Rugby Club was founded in 1963. In the past, the team has won the Kanto University Rugby League group 9 times and the National University Rugby Championship 3 times. If they win the league championship this season, it will be their first in seven years, since 2017. The school’s rugby team has deep ties with the Kingdom of Tonga, and several international students have joined the rugby team every year. Many of these players have been selected for the Japanese national rugby team and are remembered by Japanese rugby fans.

This season’s team also has Tongan players playing an active role at the heart of the team. The international players have been playing the role of breaking through the opposing defensive network, and following them, they have been connecting and scoring points with both WTBs who are very decisive.

One of their weaknesses is that they concede a lot of points even in winning games, so they need to stabilize their set plays and reduce the number of penalties in order to win the University Championship in the future.

This day’s starting lineup was as follows.

Daitou Bunka University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Matsuri ODAGIRI	174cm	107kg	20
2	Shura SAGA	169cm	97kg	21
3	Lisala FINAU	189cm	120kg	22
4	Genta ITABASHI	178cm	99kg	22
5	Yuzuki SASAKI	188cm	105kg	22	Junior Japan,U20 Japan
6	Koji MINOHORA	173cm	90kg	22
7	Kou NOBUHARA	177cm	94kg	20
8	Yoshinobu OTAKE	181m	93kg	20
9	Shoei ADACHI	170m	73kg	21
10	Mahito FUKUI	171cm	82kg	21
11	Iori OKATA	166cm	64kg	19
12	Haniteli VAILEA	180cm	100kg	22
13	Sota HASHIMOTO	177cm	90kg	21
14	Towa KANDA	170cm	82kg	22
15	Tavake OTO	182cm	97kg	20

** Player to watch **

Haniteli VAILEA. 180 cm, 100 kg, 22 years old. Born in the Kingdom of Tonga, graduated from Aomori Yamada High School. In this season’s team, he plays a breakthrough role in the BK and is also a placekicker. In games, he not only uses his strong physical ability to break through, but also shows his cleverness in knowing who to follow and being a good link between the players.

This season, Daito Bunka University has a back-3 of fast, decisive players, so VAILEA should be able to make the most of its strengths. I expect Daito Bunka University to make a great leap forward in the University Championship.

Let’s begin the first half.

10 minutes into the first half:

Daito Bunka University, with its FWs at the center, moves forward with power, while Hosei University, with its BKs at the center, runs and connects with its opponents. The two teams had completely different styles of play. After kicking each other, Hosei University tried to counter-attack with their BK, but Daito Bunka University’s defense held firm and they were unable to make much headway. Looking at Daito Bunka University’s previous games, it seemed that they had studied their defense quite a bit in preparation for this match, as they had lost a lot of points.

Daito Bunka University then chose to take a penalty kick after an infringement by their opponents, resulting in a own ball lineout in front of the enemy in-goal. Daito Bunka University secured the ball, and after a maul, they moved forward and scored a try in the middle left of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and Daito Bunka University succeeded in scoring the first point, making the score 7-0.

15 minutes into the first half:

Hosei University chose to go for the PG when their opponents committed an infringement near the halfway line. The PG was a difficult one, as it was 50 meters long.

Hosei’s CTB TANAKA scored to make the score 7-3.

The Hosei University supporters cheered loudly for Hosei University’s score.

17 minutes into the first half:

Daito Bunka University secured the ball in their own lineout from their own line and expanded to the right. Daito Bunka University’s CTB VAILEA received the ball here, dodged the opposing day defense, and made a big advance deep into enemy territory. Here, VAILEA was caught by the opposing defense, but he connected with No. 8 OTAKE via an offload pass, and OTAKE scored a try to the left side of the goal post in the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 14-3.

20 minutes into the first half:

After the try, Hosei University took the restart kickoff, secured the ball in the enemy territory, and with the FW and BK working in unison, they attacked left and right and advanced to the enemy 22m line.

However, Daito Bunka University lost the ball in front of the enemy in-goal. Daito Bunka University counter-attacked from this position, and the FWs attacked deep into the enemy territory, and CTB BAILEA followed up on the pass and scored a try right under the enemy goal posts.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 21-3.

The photo above shows the screams of Daito Bunka University’s passionate supporters.

From the restart kickoff, Hosei University pushed forward to the enemy’s in-goal, but Daito Bunka University’s defense made them hesitate in their attack, and they missed the chance.

4 minutes into the first half:

Daito Bunka University’s WTB OKATA caught Hosei University’s SO SUZUKI’s kick from his own line at the 22m line, but his foot stepped on the line, resulting in a lineout for Hosei University.

From this position, Hosei University launched a series of attacks, but Daito Bunka University’s stout defense prevented them from advancing. However, Hosei University moved to the left, and with skillful passing, passed the ball to WTB KOBAYASHI, who was positioned on the outside, and KOBAYASHI scored a try in the left corner of the enemy in-goal. This was the first try of the match for Hosei University.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 21-10.

The first half ended with the score at 21-10.

In the first half, Daito Bunka University’s solid defense was outstanding as they almost completely stopped Hosei University’s counter attacks.

For Hosei University, the score was a direct result of repeated line breaks by Daito Bunka University’s leading scorer, CTB Vailea, which led to the score.

Can Hosei University overcome their first half mistakes and close the gap?

Let’s get the second half underway.

10 minutes into the second half:

Hosei University was unable to match Daito Bunka University’s strong in-goal defense in attack in the first half. However, Hosei University’s FWs made strong contact, connected the ball, kept moving forward, and found a rhythm of continuous attacks. Hosei University came close to the enemy’s in-goal several times and even created a try chance, but failed to score a try. However, Hosei University got a PG opportunity deep in enemy territory after a foul on their opponents, and CTB TANAKA converted it to make the score 21-13.

12 minutes into the second half:

Daito Bunka University caught the ball from a PG restart and launched an attack. Again, the ball was passed to CTB VAILEA, the key man in Daito Bunka University’s attack, who bounced off the opponent’s defense and quickly approached the enemy’s in-goal. Hosei University stopped VAILEA just before the in-goal, but VAILEA connected with No.8 OTAKE via an off-load pass, and OTAKE scored a try in the left center of the in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was missed, but the score was 26-13.

As Daito Bunka University spent more time on the attack, they gradually added to their tally. First, in the 16 minutes into the second half, a driving maul in front of the in-goal resulted in a try. The scorer was hooker SAGA, and the conversion goal was successful. The score was 33-13.

21 minutes into the second half:

Hosei University was penalized for a dangerous tackle, and FB KITAGAWA was temporarily sent off for 10 minutes.

Daito Bunka University gained a numerical advantage and used a series of aggressive attacks to their advantage, and WTB OKATA scored a try in the right corner of the in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was missed, but the score was 38-13.

25 minutes into the second half:

From the kickoff after the try, Hosei University took possession of the ball in the enemy territory and launched a series of attacks, but the teams did not communicate well with each other, and there were two occasions when no one received a pass. Daito Bunka University’s WTB OKATA did not let this go. After a mistake by Hosei University, Daito Bunka University’s WTB OKATA picked up the ball that had rolled into their own territory and ran 80 meters to score a try in the left center of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 45-13, Daito Bunka University’s 32-point lead, and considering the time remaining, Daito Bunka University’s victory was almost assured in this match.

Hosei University suffered a great deal of mental damage as they attacked right up to the enemy in-goal, where a mistake cost them a try.

29 minutes into the second half:

Hosei University started a counterattack from the restart kickoff with 11 minutes remaining. Hosei University attacked in good rhythm, with each player moving forward at key points to close in on the enemy in-goal, and finally WTB KOBAYASHI scored a try right in the middle of the in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 45-20.

36 minutes into the second half:

With only a few minutes remaining, Hosei University broke the line on a run play from their own line and moved deep into the enemy territory. With the enemy in-goal closing in, they went on a series of attacks, but were unable to break through Daito Bunka University’s defensive network because of their monotonous attacks. However, Hosei University continued to attack tenaciously, and Lock HOSOKAWA scored a try in the left center of the in-goal.

The score was 45-25, despite a failed conversion attempt.

38 minutes into the second half:

Hosei University, hoping to get as many points back as possible, kicked off from the restart after the try and tried to break through, even from deep in their own territory. Hosei’s attack was not interrupted, and the ball flowed smoothly, with Hosei’s FB KITAGAWA running along the left line deep in the enemy territory and kicking a grounder punt toward the in-goal. Hosei University’s WTB KOBAYASHI, with his quick feet, followed up and scored a try right under the goal post.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 45-32.

The time remaining was running out, but Hosei University’s explosive attack continued. On the return from the kickoff, the FW and BK worked in unison to push forward and close in on the enemy in-goal, creating a try opportunity right in front of the goal posts.

However, the final pass of the try chance was ruled as a throw forward, and the scoring opportunity was missed.

Hosei University tried to fight back, but time ran out, and Daito Bunka University won the Kanto University Rugby League group championship for the first time in seven seasons.

Many Daito Bunka University supporters could be seen in the stands cheering on their team.

Hosei University was also down by a large margin of points at one point, but they made a spectacular game by catching up at the end of the game.

The final score was 45-32. As a result of this match, Daito Bunka University won the Kanto University Rugby League group championship for the first time in seven seasons, and will participate in the National University Rugby Championship Tournament.

Hosei University, on the other hand, finished 5th in the league standings, cutting off their path to the University Championship.

Both schools gave their all in this match, and we commend Hosei University for their good effort and wish Daito Bunka University the best of luck in the University Championship Tournament.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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