The Kansai Kaminari have put on a dominant display in the opening round of the 2022 Japanese National Cup, defeating last year’s Western region champions, the Kamisenryu Sea Turtles, 124 – 6 in Osaka.
Played at the Amagasaki Baycom Athletic Stadium, the ‘Lightning’ scored 58 unanswered points in the first 40 minutes before adding another 66 in the second to record their largest ever win.
In the Eastern Division, a joint Spartans/Abiko team were too strong for the South Ikebukuro Rabbitohs, running out 44 – 34 victors at Katsushika in Tokyo.
Despite a committed performance by the Rabbitohs, the joint team was simply too strong an important win in the best of two series before the National Cup Final.
The Eastern Division rematch will take place on Saturday, July 30 at Nijuku Kumirai Park in Tokyo, whilst the Western Division rematch will be on Sunday, July 10th at the Amagasaki Baycom Athletic Stadium.
The leaders of the two divisions will face off for the National Cup title in August.
To date, no team from the Western Division has won the Japanese National Cup title.
Results:
Abiko Ducks / Spartans 44 – 34 South Ikebukuro Rabbitohs
Kansai Kaminari 124 – 6 Kamisenryu Sea Turtles
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