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2018 Top Challenge League

{{Short description|Second season of Japan's second-tier domestic rugby union competition}}

{{Infobox rugby union season

| name = 2018 Top Challenge League

| image =

| imagesize =

| caption =

| countries = Japan

| date = {{nowrap|8 September – 9 December 2018}}

| champions = {{nowrap|NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes}}

| count = 3

| runnersup = {{nowrap|Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars}}

| promoted =

| relegated =

| matches = 40

| attendance =

| tries = 332

| top point scorer =

| top try scorer =

| prevseason = 2017

| nextseason = 2019

}}

The 2018 Top Challenge League was the second season of Japan's second-tier domestic rugby union competition, the Top Challenge League.{{cite news | url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/08/19/more-sports/rugby/japan-to-add-second-tier-rugby-league-in-2017/ | title=Japan to add second-tier rugby league in 2017 | work=Japan Times | date=19 August 2016 | accessdate=6 January 2017 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106023322/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/08/19/more-sports/rugby/japan-to-add-second-tier-rugby-league-in-2017 | archivedate=6 January 2017 | url-status=live}}

It was played from 8 September to 9 December 2018, with eight participating teams. NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes won the competition for the third time – having previously won in 2010–11 and 2016–17 and qualified for the promotion play-offs, along with Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars, Kintetsu Liners and Kurita Water Gush. Kamaishi Seawaves and Chugoku Red Regulions finished seventh and eighth respectively to qualify for the relegation play-offs.

Competition rules

In January 2017, the JRFU announced the format of the Top Challenge League competition. The competition was played in two stages. The First Stage was a round-robin format, where all eight teams played each other once.

The top four teams in the First Stage progressed to Group A of the Second Stage, while the bottom four teams progressed to Group B. Each of these groups was another round-robin, with all four teams playing each other once.

The four teams that competed in Group A progressed to promotion play-offs against the bottom four teams in the 2018–19 Top League.

The two team that finished bottom and second-bottom of Group B progressed to the relegation play-offs, along with the winners and the runners-up of the Regional Challenge, held between the champions of the Top East League, Top West League and Top Kyūshū League.

Teams

{{Location map+ | Japan | float=right | width=350 | caption=Location of teams in the 2018 Top Challenge League | places=

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=34.3465280 | long=132.503772 | label=

Chugoku Red Regulions
| position=top }}

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=39.2543554 | long=141.808358 | label=

Kamaishi Seawaves
| position=top }}

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=35.5066670 | long=139.317222 | label=

Kurita Water Gush
| position=top }}

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=34.6689440 | long=135.626389 | label=

Kintetsu Liners
| position=top }}

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=33.6661881 | long=130.445690 | label=

Kyuden
Voltex
| position=left }}

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=34.3918870 | long=132.484576 | label=

Mazda Blue Zoomers
| position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=35.5665990 | long=139.330798 | label=

Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars
| position=right }}

{{Location map~ | Japan | lat=34.6403446 | long=135.419441 | label=

NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
| position=bottom}}

}}

The following teams took part in the 2018 Top Challenge League competition:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:100%; width:60%;"
colspan="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" | 2018 Top Challenge League teams
style="width:35%;" | Team name

! style="width:35%;" | Based

! style="width:30%;" | 2017–18 placing

Chugoku Red RegulionsHiroshima, Hiroshima PrefectureTop Challenge League, 6th
Kamaishi SeawavesKamaishi, Iwate PrefectureTop Challenge League, 7th
Kintetsu LinersHigashiosaka, Osaka, KansaiTop League, Relegated
Kurita Water GushAtsugi, Kanagawa PrefectureRegional Leagues, Champions
Kyuden VoltexFukuoka, KyūshūTop Challenge League, 4th
Mazda Blue ZoomersFuchū, Hiroshima PrefectureTop Challenge League, 5th
Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoarsSagamihara, Kanagawa PrefectureTop Challenge League, 3rd
NTT DoCoMo Red HurricanesOsaka, KansaiTop League, Relegated

First stage

=Standings=

The current standings for the 2018 Top Challenge League First Stage are:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:75%;"
colspan="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" | 2018 Top Challenge League First Stage standings
style="width:5%;" | Pos

! style="width:35%;" | Team

! style="width:5%;" | P

! style="width:5%;" | W

! style="width:5%;" | D

! style="width:5%;" | L

! style="width:5%;" | PF

! style="width:5%;" | PA

! style="width:5%;" | PD

! style="width:5%;" | TF

! style="width:5%;" | TA

! style="width:5%;" | TB

! style="width:5%;" | LB

! style="width:5%;" | Pts

style="background:#CCCCFF;"

| 1

style="text-align:left;" | Kintetsu Liners770030186+21547136034
style="background:#CCCCFF;"

| 2

style="text-align:left;" | NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes7601345136+20954215130
style="background:#CCCCFF;"

| 3

style="text-align:left;" | Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars7502250157+9338234024
style="background:#CCCCFF;"

| 4

style="text-align:left;" | Kurita Water Gush7403155180−2524292018
style="background:#CFFCFF;"

| 5

style="text-align:left;" | Kamaishi Seawaves7205176226−5024342111
style="background:#CFFCFF;"

| 6

style="text-align:left;" | Mazda Blue Zoomers7205173275−10226411110
style="background:#CFFCFF;"

| 7

style="text-align:left;" | Chugoku Red Regulions7106159310−1512346105
style="background:#CFFCFF;"

| 8

style="text-align:left;" | Kyuden Voltex710690279−1891443004
colspan="100%" style="height:10px; |
colspan="100%" | Legend:
P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points.

The top four teams qualified for the Second Stage Group A.
The bottom four teams qualified for the Second Stage Group B.

=Matches=

The 2018 Top Challenge League First Stage fixtures are:{{cite press release | url=https://www.rugby.or.jp/files/document/514-1.pdf | title=2018ジャパンラグビー トップチャレンジリーグ日程 | publisher=Kanto Rugby Football Association | date=26 June 2018 | accessdate=26 June 2018 | language=Japanese}}

==Round one==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 September 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 61–14

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17281/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=8 September 2018 | accessdate=10 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| stadium =

| attendance = 750

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 September 2018

| time = 16:00

| home = Chugoku Red Regulions

| score = 13–22

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17425/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=8 September 2018 | accessdate=10 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| stadium =

| attendance = 800

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 September 2018

| time = 12:30

| home = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| score = 42–17

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17426/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=9 September 2018 | accessdate=10 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kamaishi Seawaves

| stadium =

| attendance = 2,783

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 September 2018

| time = 15:00

| home = Kurita Water Gush

| score = 17–53

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17427/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=9 September 2018 | accessdate=10 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| stadium =

| attendance = 5,880

}}

==Round two==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 September 2018

| time = 12:30

| home = Chugoku Red Regulions

| score = 15–40

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17428/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=16 September 2018 | accessdate=17 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kurita Water Gush

| stadium =

| attendance = 670

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 September 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| score = 28–29

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17429/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=16 September 2018 | accessdate=17 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| stadium =

| attendance = 775

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 September 2018

| time = 15:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| score = 17–38

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17430/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=16 September 2018 | accessdate=17 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,363

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 September 2018

| time = 17:00

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 31–12

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17441/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=16 September 2018 | accessdate=17 September 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| stadium =

| attendance = 2,342

}}

==Round three==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 29 September 2018

| time = 13:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17443/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第3週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=29 September 2018 | accessdate=1 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 38–7

| away = Kurita Water Gush

| stadium =

| attendance = 740

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 29 September 2018

| time = 13:00

| home = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17444/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第3週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=29 September 2018 | accessdate=1 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 19–52

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,030

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 29 September 2018

| time = 12:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17442/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第3週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=29 September 2018 | accessdate=1 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 10–30

| away = Kamaishi Seawaves

| stadium =

| attendance = 300

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 30 September 2018

| time = 12:00

| home = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17445/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第3週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=29 September 2018 | accessdate=1 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 68–17

| away = Chugoku Red Regulions

| stadium =

| attendance = 700

}}

==Round four==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 October 2018

| time = 13:00

| home = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17447/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第4週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=6 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 23–24

| away = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| stadium =

| attendance = 320

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 October 2018

| time = 12:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17446/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第4週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=6 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 5–17

| away = Kurita Water Gush

| stadium =

| attendance = 150

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 7 October 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17449/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第4週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=6 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 27–52

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,509

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 7 October 2018

| time = 13:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17448/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第4週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=6 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| score = 55–0

| away = Chugoku Red Regulions

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,138

}}

==Round five==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 October 2018

| time = 11:30

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 79–0

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17450/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第5週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=20 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,642

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 October 2018

| time = 11:30

| home = Chugoku Red Regulions

| score = 24–52

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17451/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第5週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=20 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kamaishi Seawaves

| stadium =

| attendance = 3,000

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 21 October 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| score = 14–52

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17454/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第5週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=20 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| stadium =

| attendance = 6,886

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 21 October 2018

| time = 13:00

| home = Kurita Water Gush

| score = 34–19

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17452/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第5週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=20 October 2018 | accessdate=24 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,500

}}

==Round six==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 26 October 2018

| time = 19:15

| home = Kurita Water Gush

| score = 0–38

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17433/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第6週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=26 October 2018 | accessdate=29 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| stadium =

| attendance = 7,717

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 October 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| score = 10–29

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17434/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第6週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=27 October 2018 | accessdate=29 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,278

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 October 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| score = 50–19

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17435/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第6週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=27 October 2018 | accessdate=29 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| stadium =

| attendance = 800

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 28 October 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 54–33

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17436/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第6週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=28 October 2018 | accessdate=29 October 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Chugoku Red Regulions

| stadium =

| attendance = 500

}}

==Round seven==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 3 November 2018

| time = 13:15

| home = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| score = 52–17

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17437/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第7週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=3 November 2018 | accessdate=4 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,600

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 November 2018

| time = 13:00

| home = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| score = 19–57

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17438/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第7週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=4 November 2018 | accessdate=4 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Chugoku Red Regulions

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,200

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 November 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| score = 12–40

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17439/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第7週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=4 November 2018 | accessdate=4 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kurita Water Gush

| stadium =

| attendance = 2,312

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 November 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 28–24

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17440/print/ | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　1stステージ 第7週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=4 November 2018 | accessdate=4 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| stadium =

| attendance = 8,047

}}

Second Stage Group A

=Standings=

The standings for the 2018 Top Challenge League Second Stage Group A are:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:75%;"
colspan="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" | 2018 Top Challenge League Second Stage Group A standings
style="width:5%;" | Pos

! style="width:30%;" | Team

! style="width:5%;" | P

! style="width:5%;" | W

! style="width:5%;" | D

! style="width:5%;" | L

! style="width:5%;" | PF

! style="width:5%;" | PA

! style="width:5%;" | PD

! style="width:5%;" | TF

! style="width:5%;" | TA

! style="width:5%;" | S1B

! style="width:5%;" | TB

! style="width:5%;" | LB

! style="width:5%;" | Pts

style="background:#E8FFD8;"

| 1

style="text-align:left;" | NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes330011523+9217222016
style="background:#E8FFD8;"

| 2

style="text-align:left;" | Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars32016471−791111010
style="background:#E8FFD8;"

| 3

style="text-align:left;" | Kintetsu Liners31028250+321263108
style="background:#E8FFD8;"

| 4

style="text-align:left;" | Kurita Water Gush300314131−1172210000
colspan="100%" style="height:10px; |
colspan="100%" | Legend:
P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, S1B = Stage 1 Bonus Points, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points.

=Matches=

==Round one==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 25 November 2018

| time = 11:30

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 45–10

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17981/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Aグループ　第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=25 November 2018 | accessdate=26 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| stadium =

| attendance = 700

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 25 November 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 57–0

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17982/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Aグループ　第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=25 November 2018 | accessdate=26 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kurita Water Gush

| stadium =

| attendance = 500

}}

==Round two==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 December 2018

| time = 11:30

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 50–7

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17991/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Aグループ　第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=1 December 2018 | accessdate=3 December 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kurita Water Gush

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,646

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 December 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 19–30

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17992/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Aグループ　第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=1 December 2018 | accessdate=3 December 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| stadium =

| attendance = 2,622

}}

==Round three==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 December 2018

| time = 11:30

| home = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| score = 24–7

| report = Scoreboard

| away = Kurita Water Gush

| stadium =

| attendance =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 December 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 6–20

| report = Scoreboard

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| stadium =

| attendance =

}}

Second Stage Group B

=Standings=

The standings for the 2018 Top Challenge League Second Stage Group B are:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:75%;"
colspan="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" | 2018 Top Challenge League Second Stage Group B standings
style="width:5%;" | Pos

! style="width:30%;" | Team

! style="width:5%;" | P

! style="width:5%;" | W

! style="width:5%;" | D

! style="width:5%;" | L

! style="width:5%;" | PF

! style="width:5%;" | PA

! style="width:5%;" | PD

! style="width:5%;" | TF

! style="width:5%;" | TA

! style="width:5%;" | S1B

! style="width:5%;" | TB

! style="width:5%;" | LB

! style="width:5%;" | Pts

5style="text-align:left;" | Kyuden Voltex32018949+4014602111
6style="text-align:left;" | Mazda Blue Zoomers32018091−11101420010
style="background:#FFDDDD;"

| 7

style="text-align:left;" | Kamaishi Seawaves31028789−212123119
style="background:#FFDDDD;"

| 8

style="text-align:left;" | Chugoku Red Regulions31024774−276101016
colspan="100%" style="height:10px; |
colspan="100%" | Legend:
P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, S1B = Stage 1 Bonus Points, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points.

=Matches=

==Round one==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 18 November 2018

| time = 11:30

| home = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| score = 24–22

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17911/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Bグループ　第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=18 November 2018 | accessdate=26 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Chugoku Red Regulions

| stadium =

| attendance =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 18 November 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| score = 18–39

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17912/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Bグループ　第1週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=18 November 2018 | accessdate=26 November 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| stadium =

| attendance =

}}

==Round two==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 December 2018

| time = 11:30

| home = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| score = 31–24

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17995/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Bグループ　第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=1 December 2018 | accessdate=3 December 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| stadium =

| attendance = 500

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 December 2018

| time = 14:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| score = 24–25

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17996/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Bグループ　第2週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=1 December 2018 | accessdate=3 December 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Chugoku Red Regulions

| stadium =

| attendance = 600

}}

==Round three==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 December 2018

| time = 13:00

| home = Chugoku Red Regulions

| score = 0–26

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17997/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Bグループ　第3週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=9 December 2018 | accessdate=9 December 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,050

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 December 2018

| time = 15:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| score = 45–25

| report = Scoreboard{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17998/print | title=ジャパンラグビートップチャレンジリーグ2018　2stステージ Bグループ　第3週 | work=Japan Rugby Football Union | date=9 December 2018 | accessdate=9 December 2018 | language=Japanese}}

| away = Mazda Blue Zoomers

| stadium =

| attendance = 1,050

}}

{{2018–19 Top League promotion/relegation matches | PR=PRO}}

Relegation play-offs

  • Top Challenge League side Kamaishi Seawaves won their match to remain in the Top Challenge League for 2019.
  • Top Challenge League side Chugoku Red Regulions lost their match and was relegated to the Top Kyūshū League for 2019.
  • Top League East side Shimizu Blue Sharks won their match to win promotion to the Top Challenge League for 2019.
  • Top League West side Chubu Electric Power lost their match to remain in the Top League West for 2019.

The matches played were:

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 5 January 2019

| time = 13:00

| home = Kamaishi Seawaves

| score = 41–7

| report = Scoreboard

| away = Chubu Electric Power

| stadium =

| attendance =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 5 January 2019

| time = 13:00

| home = Chugoku Red Regulions

| score = 28–33

| report = Scoreboard

| away = Shimizu Blue Sharks

| stadium =

| attendance =

}}

See also

References

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Top Challenge League}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Top Challenge League, 2018}}

2018

Category:2018–19 in Japanese rugby union

Category:2018–19 rugby union tournaments for clubs