Try-scoring machine Marx massive for Spears

ROUND 11 WRAP: Malcolm Marx extended his try tally to eight from ten appearances for the Spears in their 40-27 win over the Blue Revs in Round 11 of the Japan Rugby League One over the weekend.

First-half tries by South African-born Japanese representative Pieter ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne and Marx helped set up a 19-3 lead after 20 minutes, which gave Kubota a stranglehold that was only briefly threatened.

Finishing with six tries to three allowed the Spears to score a bonus point on top of the win, giving themselves a valuable five-point advantage over third-placed Yokohama Canon Eagles, and six over Sungoliath, whom they will meet in what looms as a pivotal game for both clubs on the final weekend of qualifying.

As well as Marx’s eighth try from 10 appearances this term, 10 points from Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley kept his
personal tally ticking over, with the league’s leading point-scorer finishing the match with 138 for the season.

Both players have been hugely influential to date in Kubota’s performance