Players celebrated with expressions of joy after clinching the championship
Meiji University conceded the opening goal in the 17th minute of the first half, but captain TAIRA Shota (4th year, School of Commerce) scored a penalty goal in the 21st minute. Waseda University then scored a penalty goal in the 26th minute to make it 3-10. However, in the 30th minute, MOGAMI Taison (4th year, School of Commerce) scored a try, and TAIRA converted the kick to level the score at 10-10 as the first half ended.
Players charged up the field toward Waseda University’s territory
TAIRA Shota kicked a conversion
Players executed a solid lineout
AZUMA Kaishun scored the game-turning try
Players drove forward with a maul from the lineout
MOGAMI Taison, wearing number 6, scored his second try of the match. He and his teammates erupted in celebration
Waseda University then scored a penalty goal in the 34th minute, narrowing the gap to 25-19. However, the team withstood Waseda’s fierce attack until the final whistle. With a forward-driving rugby style true to the Meiji spirit, they clinched their first championship in the tournament in five years.
Withstanding Waseda University’s fierce attack, the match ended with the final whistle
After the match, MOGAMI Taison was selected as Player of the Match (POM)
Comment from Head Coach KAMITORI Hiroyuki
We are grateful to have been able to play our match at the magnificent stage of the National Stadium in front of so many spectators. Regarding the match itself, it was truly a game characteristic of Waseda University, a clash of strength against strength, and so we would also like to express our gratitude to our opponents, Waseda University. For Meiji University, this match was played with the tremendous motivation of knowing that winning would mean our first championship victory in five years. While we couldn’t apply as much pressure in the scrum as we had hoped, I believe our victory stemmed from consistently executing the fundamentals throughout the entire 80 minutes, such as lineout-to-maul play, the forward pack’s determination, and the backs’ committed physical defense. Winning the tournament isn’t the end goal, so while we’ll enjoy today, starting tomorrow we’ll shift our focus and work hard toward the University Championship.
Comment from TAIRA Shota (4th year, School of Commerce)
It was great that we were able to fully embody everything the entire team had prepared over the past week during the 80-minute session. Today's match carried the pressure of a win to claim the championship, and a loss to finish fourth, but by focusing on what we needed to do right now and executing our plan for the full 80 minutes, I believe we were able to fight as one united team. However, this victory is merely a stepping stone. We will shift our focus and work hard to become the best in Japan at the University Championship.