TOKYO - Tokyo Sungoliath withstood a second-half comeback from Black Rams Tokyo to advance to the Japan Rugby League One semifinals with a 40-35 victory on Saturday.
Having trailed 27-10 at halftime, the Black Rams came back to lead 35-33 before Yukio Morikawa's try after the siren sealed the quarterfinal victory for head coach Kosei Ono's men.
South Africa star Cheslin Kolbe scored the opening try and booted a further 15 points for Sungoliath at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Former All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara and winger Taira Main each scored a brace of tries for head coach Tabai Matson's Black Rams.
Sungoliath will face Kobe Steelers, the first-place team from the regular season, in the semifinals in a week's time.
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