Winger Masaki Hamada scored a hat trick of tries Friday as Brave Lupus Tokyo maintained their push for the Japan Rugby League One postseason by overpowering Sagamihara Dynaboars 52-19.
The bonus-point victory in their penultimate game of the regular season lifted Brave Lupus into fourth place ahead of Yokohama Eagles by virtue of a greater number of wins.
Eagles, equal on 48 points with Brave Lupus, have a game in hand and will continue their bid for a top-four finish and championship playoff berth when they face third-place Tokyo Sungoliath on Saturday.
Hamada brought up his brace four minutes into the second half at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground and had his hat-trick 19 minutes later, helping his side to a 38-19 lead upon fly-half Hayata Nakao slotting one of his seven conversions.
New Zealand-born replacement back Jack Stratton registered a brace of tries for Brave Lupus after coming off the bench in the 57th minute.
In Friday night's other first-division clash, Hanazono Liners notched their maiden victory for the season, beating fellow western Japan side Kobe Steelers 34-33.
Atsushi Kashimoto dotted down on the stroke of 80 minutes and Jackson Garden-Bachop hit the conversion to seal the comeback win at Hanazono Rugby Stadium.
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