Biarritz saw their Heineken Cup campaign hit a major speedbump as they fell 30-26 to Treviso at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday.
The game was nip and tuck in the opening stages but exploded to life after fifteen minutes, when Treviso crossed for two quick-fire tries.
First, Michele Rizzo barged over from short range for a try that was converted by Tobias Botes before Robert Barbieri struck for a second score, this time converted by Chris Burton.
Biarritz hit back within ten minutes with an unconverted try when Pelu Taele-Pvihi powered his way over the try-line after his team-mates had rallied following the early setback.
But the hosts struck again shortly after, with Italian international Cornelius van Zyl touching down after great work by the Treviso pack in midfield. The try was converted, making it 21-5 in favour of the hosts, but Marcelo Bosch's converted try before the interval helped keep Biarritz in touch, before Burton booted a over a penalty for Treviso on the stroke of half-time.
Burton was on target in the opening stages of the second half to make it 27-12, but the majoriy of the remainder of the half was dominated by Biarritz, who desperately searched for a way back in the game.
They gave themselves a lifeline when Damien Trialle crossed just before the hour mark and were only a point behind when Yan Lesgourgues scored minutes later to ensure a bonus.
The closing stages of the match were tense, but it was Treviso who were able to hold on for a fantastic win, with a Burton penalty on 77 minutes round things off.
The scorers:
For Treviso:
Tries: Rizzo, Barbieri, van Zyl
Con: Botes, Burton 2
Pen: Burton 3
For Biarritz:
Tries: Taele, Bosch, Traille, Lesgourgues
Con: Baby, Peyrelongue 2
Treviso: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Ludovico Nitoglia, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Brendan Williams, 10 Kristopher Burton, 9 Tobias Botes, 8 Paul Derbyshire, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Robert Barbieri, 5 Cornelius van Zyl, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Enrico Ceccato, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Diego Vidal, 17 Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet, 18 Pedro di Santo, 19 Valerio Bernabo, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Marco Filippucci, 22 Edoardo Gori, 23 Alberto Di Bernardo.
Biarritz: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 13 Benoît Baby, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Ilikena Bolakoro, 10 Marcelo Bosch, 9 Yann Lesgourgues, 8 Florian Faure, 7 Talalelei Gray, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Pelu Taele, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Benoit August, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Romain Terrain, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Sylvain Marconnet, 19 Jean-Baptiste Roidot, 20 Benoit Guyot, 21 Julien Peyrelongue, 22 Charles Gimenez, 23 Dane Haylett-Petty.
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assessor: Tim Aplin (Ireland)







Comments
j615 says...
Great result for Treviso. I agree its time for Rizzo and Benvenuti could be a serious threat at 13 in internationals. Burton must start at 10 this six nations and what about Nitoglia on the wing or at full back? He seems much better than he was when he last played for Italy. Its good so many of the national side are getting used to winning regularly. Its a shame Aironi are still a long way off being competitive but they are still a new team. Once they do that is exciting times for Italy.
Posted 22:59 11th December 2011
Lucasrg says...
Great work Treviso!!! The guys are on fire!
Posted 15:09 11th December 2011
carpelone says...
And a very good refereeing too. Relaxed and effective. Well don, Mr Doyle.
Posted 10:36 11th December 2011
carpelone says...
Yet another try by Rizzo!! He and his front row mate Cittadini were outstanding. Benvenuti seems to be the next big thing at 13 not only in Italy, but in Europe. He reminds me Jacque Fourie.
Living in Italy, it is somewhat refreshing to watch rugby matches not just for the sake of winning, but to spot new emerging talents.
I am quite sure Rizzo and Cittadini will be in the front row mix come the 6N.
Posted 10:35 11th December 2011
leinster_goy says...
well done treviso! molto bene!!! that's another french team knocked out, lovely jubbly
Posted 15:35 10th December 2011