The Dynaboars had romped to a 41-14 halftime lead, but two tries in seven minutes by the ex-Sydney Roosters NRL star straight after the resumption breathed life into the contest.
Wallaby Matthew Philip’s first-half try was in vain for Yokohama Eagles on Saturday as Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay came from behind for a 30-22 win that lifted them into third place.
Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers lost their chance to enter the top four after a dramatic 31-29 loss to Tokyo Sungoliath, with ex-Chiefs flyhalf Bryn Gatland missing a 76th-minute conversion to tie the scores.
Samu Kerevi’s Urayasu D-Rocks beat Mie Heat 31-26 for a first win of the season, and Black Rams Tokyo suffered a fifth consecutive loss, going down 32-24 against Shizuoka Blue Revs.
