Suntory Sungoliath jumped above Kobe Kobelco Steelers to head the Japan Rugby Top League's Red Conference on Saturday thanks to a 36-11 victory over NTT Communications Shining Arcs.

George Smith showed his full array of skills at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground to create two of Suntory's six tries, while his teammates gave the Shining Arcs a lesson in how to make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

Defending champions Suntory have 19 points, one more than the Steelers and four more than Toyota Verblitz, who beat Toshiba Brave Lupus 23-18.

But such are the high standards at Suntory, who last lost a league game on Dec. 26, 2015, that the leadership were not best pleased despite the scoreline.

"It was a stressful game to watch because we couldn't control the game," said coach Keisuke Sawaki.

"Our attack was good but much of the game was played at NTT's pace and that meant we couldn't play our game. And that was down to our leadership group," added captain Yutaka Nagare.

Panasonic Wild Knights, meanwhile, maintained their perfect start to the season as they ran in 10 tries in a 64-17 drubbing of Coca-Cola Red Sparks to head the White Conference with a maximum 20 points.

Yamaha Jubilo are five points back in second thanks to a 35-12 victory over Ricoh Black Rams.

Meanwhile, newly promoted NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes picked up their second win of the season by downing Munakata Sanix Blues 29-19, as did Kubota Spears, who beat Toyota Industries Shuttles 27-19, and Kintetsu Liners, who kept Canon Eagles winless, triumphing 25-20.

This season the league has been split into two conferences, Red and White.

Teams play the seven other sides in their conference plus six from the other group to determine the rankings for the end of season playoffs, with the top four sides competing for the league title, which doubles as the All-Japan Championship.

In Tokyo, a sixth-minute penalty by Jumpei Ogura gave NTT Comms an early lead.

But it was short lived as great hands from Jordan Smiler and a clever kick from Smith saw Chihito Matsui go over for his first Top League try.

Takaaki Nakazuru became the second recipient of Smith's magic when he latched onto an offload from the Wallaby legend to cross in the 17th minute before NTT hit back with Takuya Ishibashi crossing the chalk following a series of turnovers.

The Shining Arcs should have added to Ishibashi's score. But some poor decision making close to the line and some stout Suntory defense saw Sawaki's team weather the storm. Something NTT were then unable to do as Kotaro Matsushima and Hendrik Tui touched down the next two times Sungoliath advanced into the NTT red zone to make it 22-8 at the break.

"I was pleased with a lot of what we did in the first half. But we gifted Suntory two tries with some unusual decisions in defense by our boys," said NTT coach Rob Penney.

A second penalty from Ogura five minutes into the second stanza closed the gap.

But as in the first half, the Shining Arcs were unable to build on the momentum that seemed to swing their way -- not helped by a succession of injuries to their props and a yellow card that resulted in uncontested scrums for 10 minutes.

"We created enough pressure but then let it off with a lost ball," said Penney. "We played without luck and against Suntory you need luck to be competitive."

And they were made to pay for their misfortune as man-of-the-match Tui and Matsushima both made it a brace of five-pointers for the evening as Suntory wrapped up the win and the bonus point.