Rugby: Kintetsu Liners clear 1st Top League playoff hurdle

Kintetsu Liners advanced to the second round of the Japan Rugby Top League playoffs on Sunday with a 31-21 win over Munakata Sanix Blues.Kintetsu are the only Top Challenge League side to defeat one of the four lowest-ranked teams from the Top League in order to set up a game next week against five-time champion Panasonic Wild Knights.Liners, second in this season's Top Challenge League, held a 17-14 lead at halftime and held on despite playing the final 36 minutes with just 14 players to beat the Blues, who finished last in the Top League's eight-team Red conference.Hino Red Dolphins advan…READ FULL ARTICLE