On March 16, 2025, at Takebishi Stadium Kyoto, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars made history by defeating the Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath with a remarkable score of 34-22. This match marked the first time League One was held in Kyoto, and it attracted 6,035 enthusiastic fans, undeterred by the rainy weather.
The DynaBoars, who had stumbled recently with only one win out of their last five games, came out aggressively, determined to reverse their fortunes. Their early momentum was established when Matt Vaega scored from about 40 meters out with a penalty kick just three minutes onto the clock. Shortly thereafter, Jack Stratton capitalized on Sungoliath's error, allowing Vaega to sprint 40 meters and score the day’s first try.
With the score at 8-0, the DynaBoars maintained pressure on their opponents. A third-minute penalty goal by Vaega was soon followed by another try from Vaega at the 23-minute mark, when Charlie Lawrence kicked a grounded pass from the scrum to him, extending their lead to 15-3.
Despite the strong start from the DynaBoars, the Sungoliath were not out of the fight. Just before halftime, Ryuta Matsushima cut through the defense to set up Shogo Nakano for their first try, slimming the score to 15-8. Their attempts to decrease the gap were rapidly neutralized by the DynaBoars, who scored again right before the half ended. Epineri Uluiviti finished off another well-executed play, putting the DynaBoars firmly ahead at 22-8 goinginto the break.
The second half showcased more spirited play. The Sungoliath struck quickly with Cheslin Kolbe scoring under the posts shortly after the restart, closing the score to 22-15. But the DynaBoars responded effectively to maintain their lead, with Vaega asserting his dominance on the match by scoring again at the 12-minute mark, bringing the score to 27-15.
With Wataru Taniguchi of Sungoliath putting another try on the score sheet to tighten the match at 22-27, drama unfolded as they chased down the DynaBoars. Yet, the DynaBoars’ determined defense held firm through the last minutes of the game, allowing them to capitalize on yet another opportunity. Hanireli Vailea executed another well-timed kick pass to Aito Ozawa, who darted to the left corner for the final try, sealing the victory at 34-22.
The DynaBoars’ win was not only significant for the current season but held historical importance as it marked the first victory over the Sungoliath across all competitive levels, including previous top league encounters.
Adding to the excitement surrounding this victory was the recent acquisition of South African player Kuveshni Mchunu, who joined the team on March 12, 2025. Mchunu, aged 27, made his first start during this historic match and showcased his talent as he played until just four minutes before the final whistle. He expressed great enthusiasm for the Japanese rugby scene and stated, “I wanted to see how far I could go here.” His impact was recognized by head coach Glen Delaney, who noted his ability to immediately blend with the team and the energy he brought to this significant win.
Mchunu also noted, “I was honored to contribute to this victory,” highlighting how much he valued the win against such notable competitors.
With this victory, the DynaBoars now sit 10th among the 12 teams and are preparing to take on Toyota Verblitz on March 22, 2025, at Gifu Memorial Center Nagaragawa. The stakes are high as they continue to battle to improve their standing within the league.
Overall, this match not only showcased impressive performances by key players but also emphasized the club's determination to create new chapters in their history, especially with the addition of Mchunu to the roster. DynaBoars supporters have plenty to celebrate as they look forward to the team’s future games and potential advancement within League One.