Toshiba Brave Lupus claimed the Microsoft Cup and Top League title in the most dramatic of fashions on Sunday, beating Suntory Sungoliath 14-13 in front of a sold-out crowd of 23,067 at Chichibunomiya Stadium.

A try by Luatangi Samurai Vatuvei in the sixth minute of injury time, converted by Hiroki Yoshida, saw Toshiba edge out their local rivals and claim their third straight league and cup double.

With playoffs introduced this year to determine the Top League champion, the final pitted the two top teams in Japan against one another and the tight hard-fought encounter was a superb advertisement of how top-flight rugby in Japan has progressed.

"I am very happy that so many fans could watch this final," said Toshiba coach Masahiro Kunda.

"Both teams played very hard and confronted one another head on. At the end of the day, I think our experience helped us win the title."

Suntory coach Katsuyuki Kiyomiya was naturally disappointed.

"Even if we had won, I would not have been happy with the way we played," he said. "But Toshiba are a great team and are well-captained by Teppei Tomioka."

A 75-meter intercept try by Toru Kurihara, converted by Ryan Nicholas had given Suntory the lead in the 24th minute.

But Toshiba hit back through Scott McLeod, who gave the Suntory defense a brief glimpse of the ball before sprinting over from 22 meters out in the 31st minute.

Yoshida's conversion ensured the two teams went into the break level at 7-7.

Nicholas added two penalty goals in the second half, as Suntory used the wind to their advantage, but their inability to cross the Toshiba line following Vatuvei's yellow card in the 58th minute eventually cost them the game.

With time running out, Suntory were penalized a number of times in their own 22, and with the final play of the game, Vatuvei, who was named the game MVP, rumbled over from five meters out.

Yoshida added the conversion and Toshiba celebrated their hat-trick of titles.