Hooker Shunta Nakamura powered Tokyo Sungoliath to an 18-7 victory over Black Rams Tokyo on Saturday, going over twice in the first half of their Japan Rugby League One clash at Komazawa Stadium.
Nakamura opened the scoring in the seventh minute, diving across from a ruck after Sungoliath quickly spread the ball wide off a free kick in front of the opposing 22.
The front-rower brought up his brace in the 28th minute as Sungoliath mauled their way over from a lineout for a 12-0 lead.
A converted Nathan Hughes try narrowed the gap to 12-7 before Naoto Saito and Ryoto Nakamura extended the lead with second-half penalties.
In other top-flight action, defending champions and undefeated league leaders Saitama Wild Knights celebrated Japan prop Keita Inagaki's 100th cap for the club by clobbering Hanazono Liners 41-6 at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.
Yokohama Eagles ran in eight tries to seven as they held off Brave Lupus Tokyo 59-48 in a free-scoring affair at Resonac Dome Oita, while Toyota Verblitz came back to beat Green Rockets Tokatsu 21-18 at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium.
