Overview
- In the 101st Sōmei-sen at Tokyo’s National Stadium, about 40,000 spectators watched Meiji secure the rivalry win that decided the league title.
- Captain Shota Hira made a match-sealing tackle in the final phase, winning a penalty near the try line to preserve the six-point margin.
- Meiji absorbed scrum pressure yet advanced through powerful forward play, using controlled mauls to gain ground and finish scoring chances.
- Waseda fullback Yutaka Yazaki praised Meiji’s contact dominance, acknowledging his side could not get front-foot ball at the collision.
- After an opening loss to Tsukuba, Meiji strung together victories and now targets the All-Japan University Championship, with four-time reigning winner Teikyo in their sights.