Fourteen-man Kubota Spears scored a last-ditch comeback try to seal a dramatic 29-26 win over Yokohama Eagles on Friday in the first division of Japan Rugby League One, the reigning champions ending a two-game losing run.
Flyhalf Tomoki Kishioka was the architect for the Spears' 79th-minute try, gaining yards by gathering his own chip ahead before wing Koga Nezuka was released down the right to turn things around at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo.
Down 12-8, the Spears lost No. 8 Faulua Makisi just before the break when he made contact with the head of his opposite number Amanaki Lelei Mafi. Initially shown a yellow card, the decision was later upgraded to a red.
The Eagles immediately made the most of their numerical advantage to extend their lead with Yu Tamura setting up Viliame Takayawa with a well-weighted punt to score before the flyhalf added the extras.
Takayawa crossed again two minutes into the second half, as Eagles went 26-8 up, but the Spears created space to score a try through Kishioka in the 64th minute before Hayate Era squeezed in off a driving maul with three minutes left to set up the exciting finale.
The fifth-placed Eagles saw their two-game winning streak come to an end and stay on 29 points, while the Spears are now three points back. Both sit just outside the top four playoff spots before the weekend's remaining games.
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