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Japan lost their opening two games, against New Zealand and Ireland
Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C
Japan (5) 29
Tries: Nishimura, Nagata, Kitano, Imakugi, Nduka Cons: Otsuka, Yamamoto
Spain (14) 21
Tries: Blanco, Castelo, Martinez Cons: Argudo 2, Pena
Japan ended their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with a memorable victory over Spain in York.
The bottom two ranked sides in Pool C had already failed to qualify for the knockout stages after losing their opening two games in England.
Japan, who started with pace and urgency, scored the opening try through full-back Sora Nishimura.
Spain responded with two tries under the posts from hooker Cristina Blanco Herrera and lock Monica Castelo to lead at half-time.
But Lesley McKenzie's persistent side took the lead in the second half with tries from captain Iroha Nagata and prop Wako Kitano.
Japan extended their advantage with a composed try from wing Komachi Imakugi and number eight Jennifer Nduka.
Juan Gonzalez's side finished with a final try from Victoria Rosell Martinez.
The game was a proud day for referee Sara Cox, who became the first woman to officiate 50 Tests.
Line-ups
Japan: Nishimura; Matsumura, Furuta, Hirotsu, Imakugi; Otsuka, Abe; Kato, Kuge, Kitano, Sato, Yoshimura, Kawamura, Nagata (capt), Nduka.
Replacements: Taniguchi, Mine, Nagata, Sakurai, Saito, Tsukui, Yamamoto, Kagawa.
Spain: Argudo; C. Perez, Hidalgo, Ducher, Piquero; Z. Perez, De Corres; Antolinez, Blanco (capt), Bracic, Castelo, Alameda, Baquet, Garcia, Capell.
Replacements: Roman, Silva, De Andres, Martinez, Marquez, Piqueras, Bueriberi, Cortes.
Match officials
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England) and Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
