Suntory Sungoliath stamped themselves as a Top League contender this weekend, beating defending champions Panasonic, 45-15.
Berrick Barnes slotted a conversion and a penalty in the defeat, while capped Wallaby Daniel Heenan started in the second row.
George Smith played 67 mintues at number eight for Suntory in the win.
Wycliff Palu came off the bench, playing 28 mintues for Toyota Verblitz in their 27-7 loss to the Kobe Steelers.
Scott Higginbotham’s NEC Green Rockets notched their first win of the season, a 23-7 victory over the Toyota Industries Shuttles.
Mark Gerrard came off the bench in the 52nd minute of the clash for the Shuttles.
Anthony Fainga’a played a full match at inside centre for the Kintetsu LIners, though they went down to the NTT Communications Shining Arcs, 18-3.
Digby Ioane’s Honda Heat went just three points short of their first win of the season, losing 18-15 to the Kubota Spears.
TOP 14
Mike Harris played the full match for promoted side Lyon as they produced a surprise 25-20 win over Toulouse.
Liam Gill came off the bench in the 58th minute of a Toulon loss to a 41-30 loss to Dan Carter’s Racing 92.
Peter Kimlin played at blindside flanker for Grenoble, in a 46-9 defeat at the hands of Castre, with two players yellow carded.
Nic White played 54 minutes for Montpellier at scrumhalf, in a win over Bayonne, 21-9.
Adam Ashley-Cooper played another full match on the right wing for Bordeaux, though they lost 40-16 to Clermont.
Sitaleki Timani played a full match in the second rower for Clermont in the win.
PREMIERSHIP
Reds backrower Leroy Houston scored a try in his return to Bath Rugby, as they beat Cooper Vuna’s Worcester Warriors, 37-22.
Greg Holmes started at tighthead for Exeter, playing 52 minutes in a 36-25 win over Harlequins, with Dave Dennis coming off the bench in the 44th minute.
James Horwill started in the second row for Harlequins, making 15 tackles in the tight contest.
Peter Betham had a mixed night for Leicester in a one-point over Newcastle, yellow-carded in the 70th minute.
