Japan ran in seven unanswered tries to beat Hong Kong 39-3 at the Hong Kong Football Club in the first of a home and away series to decide the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2016.

The result had little impact on the World Rugby Women’sRankings with Japan’s gain of seven hundredths of a rating point not enough to lift them above their current standing of 17th while Hong Kong remain in 23rd position.

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A four-try first half saw the Sakura using their impressive pace to create space repeatedly on the edges of Hong Kong’s defensive line.

Japan’s opening try came in the first minute with winger Honoka Tsutsumi finding ample space off a simple overlap to cross over untouched in the corner. Captain Ai Tasaka’s conversion from the touchline was unsuccessful, setting a disappointing pattern for the kicker who would miss six of her eight attempts at goal on the day.

Hong Kong’s best period of the match failed to produce any points, as the Japanese line held firm and too many lineout throws went astray, and it was the visitors who scored again when, in the 22nd minute, Tasaka picked an excellent running line from full-back to enter the backline at pace and against the direction of Hong Kong’s drift defence, creating space for a 30-metre try. Tasaka converted her solo effort to give Japan a 14-0 lead.

Two further first half tries from winger Eriko Hirano and number eight Misaki Suzuki gave the visitors a commanding 22-0 lead and secured the bonus point for Japan in the first half.

Hong Kong’s only reply came from a penalty in the 30th minute by winger Aggie Poon Pak Yan, who came off injured in the second half, bringing the score to Japan 22-3 at half-time.

LATE TRIES

Japan started the second half strongly, putting the hosts under pressure from the outset as Hong Kong threw everything into maintaining their defensive line and keeping the scoring down. Hong Kong’s hopes of keeping a clean sheet after the break held until the final 10 minutes when a raft of substitutions saw errors creep in on both sides.

Japan took advantage of the disarray, exploding for three late tries in quick succession with centre Miki Terauchi scoring in the 72nd minute after another long break down the outside saw the Hong Kong defence conceding numbers out wide. Captain Tasaka collected her brace, converting her own try from in front of the posts, before second-row Ai Hyugaji closed the scoring with a try at the hooter to give Japan the 39-3 victory after the missed conversion.

"TOUGH DAY THE OFFICE"

“It was a tough day at the office,” commented Hong Kong coach Jo Hull after her first test match against Japan.

“Japan came out really strong and fast and with their fitness and skills they executed better than us under pressure. In the second half we held them at 0-0 for a good 30 minutes but at the end of the day we didn’t execute under pressure and we’re disappointed with that. The breakdown area really hurt us today and we didn't keep our defensive structures in the first half. We just put ourselves under too much pressure.

Hull noted that despite the score line there was some positives to build on for the return match: “There were some things in the second half we can build on and I’m really proud of the girls. Nothing changes there. This is the first game in what will be a very long international season for us so we just have to continue working hard.”

Hong Kong will travel to Singapore for a test match next Saturday with the away leg against Japan on 28 May in Tokyo.