Zebre stun rivals Benetton on PRO14 restart
December 7, 2019, Calvisano, Italy: carlo canna (zebre) trasforma latryduring Zebre Rugby vs Brive, Rugby Challenge Cup in Calvisano, Italy, December 07 2019 - LPS/Massimiliano Carnabuci (Credit Image: © Massimiliano Carnabuci/LPS via ZUMA Wire)
Zebre produced a superb display to claim just their third PRO14 victory of the season following a thoroughly deserved 17-13 triumph over fellow Italian side Benetton.
Benetton struck first with a Paolo Garbisi penalty, but Zebre led 10-3 at the break through a Tomasso Boni try and five points from the boot of Carlo Canna.
Garbisi reduced the deficit with a penalty before Antonio Rizzi converted Jimmy Tuivati’s try, and that was enough for a Zebre win, even though Joaquin Riera went over for a late try which Ian Keatley improved.
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It was an important win for the visitors, who have struggled in these derby fixtures, as they managed to claim their fifth success over Benetton in 18 attempts.
The result rather summed up the hosts’ campaign having struggled to recapture the form they had in 2018/19.
They reached the play-offs last season before eventually succumbing in the quarter-finals and Benetton were evidently suffering from post-lockdown blues.
Zebre were the sharper throughout and battled their way to a valuable victory as Boni and Tuivati tries sealed an impressive result. Riera salvaged a losing bonus-point for Benetton, but it was their rivals’ day.