Rugby: Seiya Ozaki leads Sungoliath past Steelers

KOBE (Kyodo) — Two Seiya Ozaki tries boosted Tokyo Sungoliath to a 36-27 victory over Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League One’s top flight Sunday.

Bryn Gatland twice gave the Steelers the lead at Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium with two penalty goals, the second from near the halfway line.

The visitors, however, took an 8-6 lead into the changing rooms thanks to Ozaki’s 11th-minute try and Mikiya Takamoto’s 42nd-minute penalty goal.

Six minutes after the break, Ozaki received a kick pass and exploded down the right flank before offloading for Hendrick Tui to dot down. Harry Hockings scored down the left four minutes later for a 20-6 Sungoliath lead.

Twenty minutes into the second half, tries began coming fast and furious.

Sungoliath hooker Kosuke Horikoshi showed off his ball-handling skills as he scored out on the flank from a long pass, while Ozaki scored his second try against three from the Steelers, by Amanaki Saumaki, Michael Little and Timothy Lafaele.

Lafaele’s try after the hooter prevented Sungoliath from securing a bonus point.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Seta Tamanivalu’s 80th-minute try tied the game, and Richie Mo’unga’s conversion lifted Brave Lupus Tokyo over Kubota Spears 22-20.

After 12 rounds, Brave Lupus Tokyo are second in the 12-team Division One, on 50 points, six points back of the undefeated leaders, Saitama Wild Knights.

Sungoliath are seven points further back in third on 43 points, while the Steelers are fifth, four points out of the playoff picture.