wrapped up a 7-5 win that puts him two points behind

RIO DE JANEIRO -- First it was a World Cup upset for Japan. Now its the Olympics.For the second time in less than a year, Japan stunned a traditional rugby power at a global event -- and its destined to keep people interested.Inspired by the win over South Africa in the 15-a-side game last September, which ranks as the biggest Rugby World Cup upset ever, the sevens team had a 14-12 win over New Zealand on the opening day of the mens competition at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.Making it more memorable, it was the first day in 92 years of mens rugby competition at the Summer Games.This is our chance to prove to the world that Japan can beat any team, said Lote Tuqiri, a Fiji-born flyer who proudly plays for Japan. How Japan finished at the World Cup really lifted rugby in Japan. Numbers are coming in. Hopefully our win against New Zealand will boost it another level -- in sevens its anybodys game.Hours after beating the 12-time world sevens series champion New Zealanders for the first time, the Japan squad showed it was no fluke by pushing Britain all the way before missing a last-minute kick at goal that could have forced a draw.Theyre a good team. They pushed Britain very closely as well -- perhaps that says it all, veteran New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said of Japans performance. There are no given games these days.Rugby in Japan has been almost entirely dominated by teams owned by big corporate teams which important talent from abroad.The win over South Africa at the World Cup last year set TV ratings records, and caused a surge in interest in the game. The Japan-based Sunwolves joined the southern hemispheres Super Rugby competition this year and, although it didnt have a lot of on-field success, it showed glimpses of promise against well-established teams.Tuqiri, who shares the same name as a cousin who played a Rugby World Cup final for Australia, is hoping for an influx of talented young Japanese players for the sevens program to improve the countrys chances of winning a medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.Sevens isnt a big thing in Japan, its more 15s, so we want to lay a good platform, Tuqiri said. Look what the 15s did in the World Cup.This Olympics is not only a world series, it is the highest level of any (sevens) competition. Were not coming here just to make up the numbers ... were here to give a big run to all the big boys.A win on Wednesday over Kenya, which had a breakthrough title on the world sevens circuit last season, would help Japan qualify for the quarterfinals. 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The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play.Phil Taylor secured a return to Premier League Finals Night with victory over Robert Thornton in Bournemouth on Thursday night. The Power sits top of the standings and his 7-2 victory over Thornton was enough to seal a top four finish and a place at the O2 in May having failed to qualify for the semi-finals in 2015. PL Darts Night 12 Relive the action in our live blog The six-time Premier League champion was not at his best and averaged in the 80s for much of his match with Thornton but Taylor had too much for the Scot and was always able to keep his nose in front having broken early on for a 3-0 lead. The 16-time world champion has not won the Premier League since 2012 but is the first man to secure his place this year and now has set his sights on the £25,000 bonus for finishing top of the league phase for the first time in three years. Taylor was too strong for Thornton in Bournemouth World No 1 Michael van Gerwen is hot on the heels of Taylor. After a run of four draws from his previous five matches, the Dutchman secured two victories to all but join Taylor at the O2.MVG kicked off the evening with a comprehensive victory against Peter Wright - Snakebite was unable to live with the Dutchmans power and another average in excess of 100 was enough to wrap up a 7-2 victory.Van Gerwen followed that up in the final match of the night with a win against Adrian Lewis - neither man was at their best as they felt the effects of a second game of the evening but the Green Machine came out on top following a topsy-turvy tussle.Jackpot, reeling from a 7-4 defeat to Raymond van Barneveld earlier in the night, missed four darts at a double to claim the opening leg but he was punished by Van Gerwen who roared into 4-1 lead. Premier League Night 12 - Results Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Peter Wright Raymond van Barneveld 7-4 Adrian Lewis Gary Anderson 6-6 James Wade Phil Taylor 7-2 Robert Thornton Adrian Lewis 5-7 Michael van Gerwen Lewis managed to find form midway through the match with a couple of big finishes to level at 4-4.dddddddddddd. MVG surged once again but when he missed four darts for the match it looked like Lewis could pinch a precious point.It was not to be for Jackpot as Van Gerwen, averaging in the mid 90s, wrapped up a 7-5 win that puts him two points behind Taylor and only an unlikely sequence of results can stop him returning to Finals Night. MIchael Van Gerwen won twice in Bournemouth to close on a semi-final place (Picture by Lawrence Lustig) Lewis first match of the night ended in a defeat to Barney, a win for the Dutchman somehow keeping his faint hopes of a play-off place alive.Barney won seven of his last eight games last year to make the O2 but he will require even more of a miracle run this year despite an impressive showing against Jackpot who was well below his best.In the nights other match, Gary Anderson picked up what could be a crucial point ahead of his double week in Birmingham next Thursday. The defending champion came up against a typically stubborn James Wade and a 6-6 draw keeps alive both mens hopes of joining Taylor in London on May 19. Premier League Night 13 - Fixtures Peter Wright v Phil Taylor Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton James Wade v Michael van Gerwen Peter Wright v Gary Anderson Also See: Fixtures/Results Prem Table PL Darts Night 12 - as it hapened How to hit a nine-dart finish ' ' '