TGRFC 69 Girls 17

The Tokyo Gaijin began their Autumn campaign in impressive style last Sunday...

The Tokyo Gaijin began their Autumn campaign in impressive style last Sunday, crushing the Girls 69-17 in sweltering heat at the Asahi Shimbun Ground. With some late team changes and a mere 45 minute warm-up, the Gaijin set off to what is becoming an almost habitual shaky start with missed tackles and eventually conceding the first try marring what was to overall become a clinical performance.

After the opening barrage, Girls seemed take their foot off the pedal as the soaring temperatures began to test the fitness of players on both sides. The Gaijin took advantage of this drop in enthusiasm as Chris Lucas ducked over the line after spotting a yawning gap in the Girls defensive line. This proved to the catalyst as the Gaijin sprung into life adding another two tries before the half time break from captain Joe Fisher and Steve Bull.

The second half began for the Gaijin where they left the first, an initial opening flurry saw Joe Fisher cross the line for his second of the day with a barnstorming run that had all the Girls, on the field and off it short of breath. The Girls hit back with two more tries, however it was not to be their day as Takeshi Takeda crossed for his first, So Nagashima and Arthur Strang also joined the rout before Steve Bull added his second while Joe Fisher completed a memorable hattrick. With the team suddenly enjoying themselves, it was reassuring for all to see the team come into the form that seemed to abandon them towards the end of the Tokyo Cup campaign. Takeshi Takeda again crossed the line completing what was a stunning backline performance from the Tokyo Gaijin, full credit also to the forwards who were unwavering as usual.