Newly promoted NTT Communications Shining Arcs will get their first crack at a Japan Rugby Top League team in the second round of the 47th National Championships, following a hard-fought victory in Round One.

Two penalties in the final three minutes by Yoshio Kimishima helped NTT edge Tokai University 11-7 at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground and set up a clash with Toyota Verblitz, who eased past Kobe Kobelco Steelers 36-19 at Osaka’s Hanazono Stadium.

Yoshitaka Nakayama bagged a brace of tries for Toyota and there were further five-pointers for Tatsuya Kusumi, Ryuta Ueno and Hiroki Mizuno. Orene Ai’i slotted over three conversions and a penalty and Mikio Banba added a conversion.