Yamanashi Gakuin High School made history on December 27, 2023, as they secured their first victory at the prestigious National High School Rugby Tournament held at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, East Osaka. The team showcased their formidable strength and tactical play against Aomori Yamada, dominating the match to achieve an impressive 43-0 win.
With the average weight of their forwards exceeding 101 kilograms, Yamanashi Gakuin's players demonstrated raw physical prowess right from the start. The match began with intensity, and only three minutes in, New Zealand exchange student and hooker Liam Henderson bulldozed through multiple defenders to score the opening try. This set the tone for the game, as they unleashed their powerhouse forwards early on.
By the eleven-minute mark, Yamanashi Gakuin executed their signature maul effectively, allowing number eight Ryota Sano to touch down for their second try. Just moments later, Pacific Islander student Paea Fotofili, who also played pivotal roles throughout the match, scored two consecutive tries within three minutes, extending their lead impressively as the scoreboard read 38-0 by half-time.
Despite facing tighter defense from Aomori Yamada after the break, Yamanashi Gakuin pushed through, eventually adding their seventh try of the match at the 18-minute mark of the second half. Sano, who scored tries in both halves, reflected on the match, saying, "From the beginning, we said we were going to rely on our forwards, so it was great to dominate on the field. Our goal was to find ways to stop Aomori Yamada's key player, Antonio Aho, and thankfully, we achieved it."
The team's captain and prop, Atsumu Watanabe, expressed the squad's ambitions, stating, "We are not satisfied with just one win; we aim to achieve even greater things. Our goal is to reach the final four of this prestigious tournament, and we will work tirelessly to make it happen."
The 104th National High School Rugby Tournament kicked off on the same day with 51 teams competing. Yamanashi Gakuin was among the early winners, as were other teams like Akita Technical High School and Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa, both of which secured their places for the next round with their respective victories. Akita Technical continued its impressive streak with their 35-29 win over Takagawa Gakuen, marking their 72nd consecutive year of participation, setting yet another record for longevity in the tournament.
Next up for Yamanashi Gakuin is their second-round match against Akita Technical on December 30. Excitement about their strong performance and high hopes for advancement fill the air as fans look forward to the continued success of the team at this year’s tournament.
The competition will see the reigning champions, Kiryu Daiichi, making their entrance after this round, raising the stakes and excitement level for all teams involved. The tournament's final is scheduled for January 7, and all eyes will be on Yamanashi Gakuin as they try to carry the momentum of this historical victory forward.
