Treviso win Italian derby

Editor

Treviso were able to pip Zebre 23-12 in the Italy derby at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Friday.

Andries Van-Schalkwyk put Zebre a point ahead at the break with the opening try, but despite a late Kayle Van Zyl effort, Treviso won it through Tommaso Allan and Luca Sperandio's tries. 

With the two rivals meeting just short of Christmas, the season of goodwill didn't exactly produce the most warming first 40 minutes. Although that was to be expected between two sides who have only a couple of wins between them in the Pro12 campaign. 

Robert Barbieri's early shot at goal was the closest to opening the scoring, before Tommaso Allan kicked Treviso into a three point lead with a penalty. 

Neither side were able to take any sort of control in the opening half an hour, although Zebre did begin to ask questions of the Treviso backline the longer the half went on. Those questions were answered more often than not, but that was until Van-Schalkwyk went through. 

A maul saw Zebre progress towards the line and despite the TMO checking, Zebre were able to claim the opening try before the break. The extras from Carlo Canna were cut out on the brink of half-time, a Allan penalty ensuring Treviso went in only a point behind at 6-7. 

The hosts were well on top in the second 40 though, and ensured that they would have the bragging rights and bounce back from the double defeat last season. 

Allan kicked Treviso backed into the lead with his third penalty of the night, coming from all of 40 metres. And they levelled the try scoring with Allan taking his tally for the night up to a cool 16 points. Having stolen possession, Allan's quick control and launch downfield left the visitors chasing his shadow, as he stormed over and subsequently added the two. And Treviso wrapped the win up with five minutes to play as another interception counted firmly against Zebre. 

Sperandio was the man to tie up the win, as Allan added two more to further punish their main rivals. But Zebre did take a second try immediately after, Van Zyl adding a consolation that proved too little too late.

For Treviso:
Tries:
Allan, Sperandio
Cons: Allan 2
Pens: Allan 3

For Zebre:
Tries: Van Schalkwyk, Van Zyl 
Pens: Canna

Treviso: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Alberto Sgarbi (c), 11 Luca Sperandio, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Marco Barbini, 7 Abraham Steyn, 6 Robert Barbieri, 5 Dean Budd, 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Alberto De Marchi
Replacements: 16 Roberto Santamaria, 17 Matteo Zanusso, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Jeff Montauriol, 20 Marco Lazzaroni, 21 Giorgio Bronzini, 22 Ian McKinley, 23 Luca Morisi

Zebre: 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Mattia Bellini, 13 Giulio Bisegni, 12 Tommaso Castello, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Marcello Violi, 8 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 George Biagi (c), 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Tommaso D'Apice, 1 Andrea Lovotti
Replacements: 16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Valerio Bernabò, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Tommaso Boni, 23 Kayle Van Zyl

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys