Benetton Treviso celebrated the end of the year by triumphing over rivals Zebre Parma, claiming victory with a score of 12-24 during the latest United Rugby Championship match held at Stadio Lanfranchi.
This win not only boosted Benetton's playoff aspirations but also secured the precious bonus point as they successfully crossed the try line four times. The game, marked by intense moments and resilient performances, showcased why rugby is often described as more than just a game.
The match commenced with Zebre making the first mark on the scoreboard. At the 20-minute mark, captain Danilo Fischetti dove over the line for the early try, expertly converted by Giacomo Da Re, giving the home team the lead at 7-0. The visitors, undeterred, responded quickly, with Siua Maile scoring two successive tries, each set up by powerful mauls, shifting the momentum to Benetton just before halftime.
By the time the whistle blew for the break, Benetton was leading 7-10, giving them the edge needed as they headed for the locker rooms.
The second half began with renewed energy from both sides. Zebre briefly regained the lead at 12-10 when Simone Gesi crossed for another try, though the conversion woes continued to plague them; previous efforts had also missed the target. Benetton found themselves at a disadvantage, facing two yellow cards for Mirco Spagnolo and Alessandro Izekor within minutes of each other, leaving them at a two-man deficit.
Surprisingly, it was during this challenging period of play, with Treviso down to 13 men, when Ignacio Brex stepped up. His tactical awareness led to another try, turning the tide once again for the guests as they took the score to 12-17.
The relentless spirit of the Benetton side shone through as they continued to press hard, eager to capitalize on their new lead. Momentum shifted decisively when Leonardo Marin scored the final try of the match, cementing the scoreline at 12-24 with just minutes remaining to play.
With this match concluded, Benetton Treviso moved up to sixth place on the championship leaderboards with 23 points, marking it as potentially pivotal for their playoff chase. The failure of Zebre to maintain their early lead continued to leave them lagging at 12 points, marking another missed opportunity to climb out of the bottom of the standings.
Key player Rhyno Smith received ‘Man of the Match’ for his pivotal contributions, including his conversion kicks and overall gameplay. The Zebrini, meanwhile, will need to analyze their strategies moving forward, as errors and missed penalties cost them greatly.
This latest meeting, being their 32nd derby, adds yet another storied chapter to the rivalry between the two sides, each with its own sharps and blunders but both demonstrating the raw passion unique to Italian rugby.
Next, Benetton faces another challenging fixture, one with significant playoff ramifications, as they continue their quest for glory within this season's URC league.
