Former Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes has ended his first season in Japan in style, helping Panasonic Wild Knights claim victory in the Top League final.
Parkes' Wild Knights survived a late comeback from Suntory Sungoliath, who boast All Blacks star Beauden Barrett in their ranks, in a 31-26 win.
Barrett was at the centre of the Wild Knights' first try, with centre Dylan Riley picking off his pass to score the opening try of the final.
Japan winger Kenki Fukuoka scored in his final match before retiring to put the Wild Knights further ahead, giving them a 23-7 lead at halftime.
A try from Japan prop Asaeli Ai Valu gave the Wild Knights a seemingly unassailable lead at the start of the second half.
But Barrett’s kicking kept Sungoliath in the hunt for their sixth Top League title, with tries from scrum-half Naoto Saito and fullback Seiya Ozaki cutting the deficit to five points.
However, it wasn't enough - with Parkes' Wild Knights holding onto victory.
Parkes left Wales last year after six years at the Scarlets, which saw him qualify to play for Wales on residency and become a crucial part of Warren Gatland's side.
