September 11, 2015

Sugadaira 2015

Timeline: July 11th & 12th

This year the trip didn't start very well. The first group of players, departing Saturday morning were divided into two groups. One group was with Murray Clarke, in his car, and the other group was going in a rented car driven by Don Tanaka. Well, Don is a really nice guy and a good prop but, he is not known for his punctuality. The group waiting at Shibuya station was still relaxed and unconcerned when he still hadn't shown up 15 minutes after the meeting time, and considering the traffic would hopefully be still fluid at 7:15 in the morning. After a few message exchanges over social media, the group started to get worried because it was verging on being too late (and in consequence, the team could not join the first match of the 7's tournament). Luckily Don eventually showed up, and the second van departed about 40 minutes late, but the team arrived in Sugadaira in time to particpate in the 7's tournament.

Sugadaira2015

June 2, 2015

Kurumi Too Good in Tokyo Cup Quarter Final

Dateline: May 31st, 2015

The Tokyo Gaijin RFC found Kurumi RFC a hurdle to high to handle in their quarter final match-up of the 2015 Tokyo Cup. Despite having won all three games in their pool rounds Kurumi were a step up but the Gaijin did do better than last year when they were beaten by the same team 69 v 0. This time around the result was 33 v 17 with the Gaijin outscored five tries to three.

May 18, 2015

Tokyo Cup 3rd Round – one point win.

Dateline: 17th May, 2015

The Tokyo Gaijin RFC continued their winning run in the 2015 Tokyo Cup but not without some tense final moments as Shinjuku Jacks scored 31 of their 38 points against 14 men and almost ran the Gaijin down in the second half. The Gaijin ran in 7 tries to 6 to secure a 39 v 38 win and march into the quarter finals. Halfback and vice-captain Eamonn Murphy faces a stint on the side line (a one match ban) after being red-carded early in the second half. Just before halftime (37th minute), the Gaijin had captain Apisai Bati yellow carded which meant they played 43 minutes with only 14 players.

May 14, 2015

Scrappy Win in 2nd Round of Tokyo Cup, 2015

Timeline: May 10th, 2015.

Round 2 of the 2015 Tokyo Cup was played at Kasai Rinkai Koen Sports Ground and saw the Tokyo Gaijin RFC take on All Jin Jan RFC.(AJJ). AJJ had beaten Donkeys RFC by an even larger score than the Gaijin had beaten them last round and had also put up a strong battle in their last encounter in the Shuto League in 2014. It was a hot day for May but beautiful conditions for watching rugby.