9th-12th Play-off/ Ireland 31 Japan 10: Ireland stamped out any relegation threats from Division A with a comprehensive win in this ninth v 12th classification match at Shaw's Bridge last night.
First-half tries by Paddy Brophy (two), Eoin O'Malley and Patrick Mallon had established a 24-5 lead at the interval, and although their scoring dried up in the second period, Japan weren't equipped with the firepower to mount a serious revival despite a late flourish.
Ireland struck from their first turn-over ball, with prop Ian Leonard making the initial incursion and a series of superbly executed off-loads involving Mallon, O'Malley, Kris Greene and Ian Nagle allowing Brophy to race over for an excellent try in the seventh minute.
A burst of pace by O'Malley on the narrow side following a charge by hooker Michael Sherry then created the space for Brophy to glide over for his second touchdown.
The third try came following a sharp-angled burst by Sherry, who had O'Malley on his shoulder and the outhalf showed a finisher's instinct to power over under the posts in the 17th minute.
Japan desperately needed a foothold in the game and to their credit they struck back after outhalf Mizuki Yanagihara had missed a relatively straightforward penalty chance. Moments later scrumhalf Tappei Higashide tapped a penalty, carrying an attack deep into the Irish half. Centre Yasutaka Sasakura carried it on and, after Japan were awarded a second penalty, flanker Jumpei Ohira drove over from a maul.
Ireland's response was swift. Wing Alan Gaughan made the most of a looped pass by Niall Morris and flanker Mallon had the strength to finish in the corner.
Japan reduced the deficit after a sustained period of pressure when lock Norimasa Kuribayashi powered over from another driving maul in the 53 rd minute.
Ireland restored their advantage when O'Malley's pace took him over for his side's fifth try in the 57th minute after the pack had mauled a lineout.
Ireland's display fizzled out as Japan dominated the final exchanges but the visitors were unable to cause any more damage, despite a yellow card for replacement number eight Jason Harris-Wright.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 7 mins: P Brophy try, 5-0; 9: Brophy try, O'Malley conversion, 12-0; 17: O'Malley try, con, 19-0; 21: J Ohira try, 19-5; 29: P Mallon try, 24-5; 53: N Kuribayashi try, 24-10; 57: O'Malley try and con, 31-10.
IRELAND UNDER-19s: N Morris; A Gaughan, J Smith, M Kinsella, P Brophy; E O'Malley, K Greene; I Leonard, M Sherry, M Nelson, D Foley, I Nagle, P Mallon, R Reilly, P Ryan. Replacements: J Harris-Wright for Ryan, K Essex for Reilly (both 35 mins), T Seymour for Morris (49 mins), P McCabe for Nelson, C Cleary for Kinsella (both 64 mins).
Yellow card: Harris-Wright.
JAPAN UNDER-19s: R Morita; T Okubo, N Katchi, Y Sasakura, N Chono; M Yanagihara, T Higashide; M Mikami, R Inoue, K Nitta, K Masuda, N Kuribayashi, H Sugimoto, J Ohira, S Maekawa. Replacements: K Nakada for Kuribayashi (65 mins), J Blackie for Chono (69 mins).
Referee: J Bolabiu(Fij)
