The first leg of the Italian derby went the way of the hosts. In Round 7 of the BKT United Rugby Championship, Benetton Rugby edged past Zebre Parma 21–15 at a sold-out Monigo Stadium. The contest lived up to expectations, with the Parma-based franchise matching their green-and-white rivals throughout, only to be denied at the finish by a resilient Benetton defensive stand that repelled a late Zebre onslaught.
The return fixture is scheduled for 27 December at Stadio Lanfranchi, where a highly anticipated rematch awaits Italian rugby supporters.
MATCH REPORT
FIRST HALF
The opening ten minutes saw no score, with both sides battling around halfway in a physical arm-wrestle for territorial control. From the outset the game was attritional, dominated by heavy tackling, organised defensive lines and an emphasis on the kicking game.
Benetton earned a scrum on 15 minutes near halfway and, from the ensuing phase play, were awarded a penalty inside the Zebre half. Umaga slotted the kick to open the scoring, giving Treviso a 3–0 lead on 17 minutes.
Zebre were immediately handed a chance to level, but a scuffle between Stavile and Gallo after the referee’s whistle saw the decision reversed. Treviso instead kicked for territory, prompting a stern warning from the referee to both captains.
Benetton then squandered a major opportunity. Marin blocked Da Re’s kick and raced towards the line, but lost control of the ball at the crucial moment, allowing Zebre to escape.
The breakthrough came on 26 minutes, when Mendy cut sharply across the defensive line with a lateral run before grounding the ball. Umaga converted to extend the lead to 10–0.
A further penalty against Zebre in midfield allowed Umaga to strike again from the tee on 29 minutes, pushing Benetton out to a 13-point advantage.
Zebre finally got on the board late in the half. After a strong forward effort earned a penalty inside the Benetton half, Montemauri struck centrally to make it 13–3 on 38 minutes.
A last-ditch tackle from Gesi five metres from touch forced a knock-on from Benetton and brought the half to a close.
Half-time: Benetton Rugby 13 – Zebre Parma 3.
SECOND HALF
The second half began poorly for Zebre, as an early defensive infringement handed Umaga another shot at goal. The Benetton fly-half made no mistake, stretching the lead to 16–3 on 46 minutes.
On 51 minutes, the TMO intervened to review a high tackle on Fusco by Menoncello. The Benetton centre was shown a yellow card.
Zebre immediately capitalised on the numerical advantage. After a sequence of well-constructed phases, Ferrari forced his way over the line for a try on 53 minutes. Montemauri missed the conversion, leaving the score at 16–8.
The visitors pressed hard near the Benetton line during their strongest attacking spell, but the Treviso defence held firm, repelling multiple assaults.
Benetton struck again on 64 minutes, as Gasperini drove a maul over the line to score. Umaga struck the post with a difficult conversion attempt, but the hosts moved out to 21–8.
Zebre responded almost immediately. Gesi intercepted at halfway, sprinted clear and finished under pressure. Montemauri converted, reducing the gap to 21–15 on 69 minutes.
The closing stages were frenetic, with Zebre throwing everything forward in search of a winning score. Benetton, however, managed possession intelligently and shut the game down.
Full time: Benetton Rugby 21 – Zebre Parma 15.
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MATCH DETAILS
BENETTON RUGBY 21 – ZEBRE PARMA 15
Stadio Monigo, Treviso – kick-off 15:00
Scorers:
17’ pen Umaga (3–0), 26’ try Mendy, con Umaga (10–0), 38’ pen Montemauri (13–3), 46’ pen Umaga (16–3), 52’ try Ferrari (16–8), 65’ try Gasperini (21–8), 68’ try Gesi, con Montemauri (21–15)
Cards:
Yellow card: Menoncello (Benetton)
Goal-kicking:
Umaga (Benetton) 4/5, Montemauri (Zebre) 1/2
ZEBRE PARMA
15 Montemauri
14 Bertaccini (74’ Faissal)
13 Zanon
12 Mazza
11 Gesi
10 Da Re
9 Fusco (67’ Dominguez)
8 Odiase
7 Locatelli
6 Stavile
5 Krumov (C)
4 Ferrari
3 Pitinari
2 Di Bartolomeo
1 Hasa (66’ Buonfiglio)
Replacements: Ribaldi, Buonfiglio, Nocera, Ortombina, Canali, Dominguez, Faissal, Licata (C)
Head Coach: Massimo Brunello
BENETTON RUGBY
15 Gallagher
14 Odogwu
13 Menoncello
12 Marin (68’ Fekitoa)
11 Mendy
10 Umaga
9 Garbisi (70’ Werchon)
8 Fa’aso’o
7 Lamaro (C)
6 Zuliani
5 Ruzza
4 Favretto
3 Ferrari
2 Bernasconi
1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: Gasperini, Spagnolo, Pasquali, Marini, Cannone, Werchon, Albornoz, Fekitoa
Head Coach: Calum MacRae
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Notes:
Player of the Match: Nicholas Gasperini (Benetton Rugby)