Kobe Steelers’ Michael Little, right, fends off a Yokohama Eagles player as he carries the ball in the first half of their Japan Rugby League One game at Kobe’s Noevir Stadium on Dec. 29, 2024. (Kyodo)
KOBE (Kyodo) — Led by Michael Little, the Kobe Steelers’ well-organized defense forced their opponents to struggle for every little gain in a 36-18 Japan Rugby League One victory Sunday over the Yokohama Eagles.
In the first half at Kobe’s Noevir Stadium, the Steelers converted turnovers from all parts of the pitch into tries as the visitors failed to either hang on to the ball or transition quickly to defense.
Kobe hooker George Turner scored from a rolling maul in the second minute after the Eagles lost the ball near their own tryline. And though indiscipline soon cost the hosts when Yu Tamura kicked a sixth-minute penalty, the visitors had little else to cheer for.
A long, powerful run by Little set up a 19th-minute try by Ataata Moeakiola, who then turned provider with a breakaway run and kick ahead that set the stage for Timothy Lafaele’s 22nd-minute try.
Little and Kanta Matsunaga once more dissected the Eagles’ defense with decisive runs as Matsunaga ran half the field for a soft 25th-minute try after more careless ball-handling by the Eagles.
With the Steelers down a man late in the first half, the Eagles’ Sione Halasili scored a try, and the teams went into the changing rooms with the hosts leading 24-8.
The Eagles played better as the game progressed and got second-half tries from Viliame Takayawa. But these were matched by one from Brodie Retalick and a second from Moeakiola.
In Sunday’s other game, former Japan captain Michael Leitch scored two tries for Brave Lupus Tokyo in a 61-8 rout of the Sagamihara Dynaboars.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2024-12-29 12:22:28
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