URC surprise package claim their seventh win of the season in Italian derby

Dylan Coetzee
Benetton stars run out for a United Rugby Championship clash.

Benetton stars run out for a United Rugby Championship clash.

Benetton claimed an impressive 24-31 win over Italian rivals Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday in Parma.

The hosts fell short at home with tries through Lorenzo Pani and a Jacopo Bianchi brace, whilst Geronimo Prisciantelli kicked three conversions and a penalty while Benetton scored tries through Bautista Bernasconi, Tommaso Menoncello, Jacob Umaga and Paolo Odogwu. The fly-half, Umaga, also kicked four conversions and a late penalty.

The win is the sixth of the season for Benetton, who continue their rise in the tournament, whilst the struggles for Zebre continue.

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It was Zebre that had the better start, with Pani scoring a neat try after just three minutes, with Prisciantelli making no mistake with the conversion. The fly-half added a penalty minutes later to take his team to an early lead.

Benetton responded in the 12th minute through Bernasconi before man-of-the-match Menoncello scored in the 26th minute. Umaga would add the extras for both tries before scoring one of his own on the stroke of half-time. Once again, the playmaker made no mistake from the tee.

The visitors started the second period as well as they ended the first as the robust Odogwu rounded off some good interplay by scoring a try in the corner. Umaga expertly nailed the difficult conversion.

Zebre fought hard to get back into the game but were denied by several impressive defensive sets from the visitors that was until the hour mark when Bianchi crashed over for a converted try.

Again, the hosts would push hard for a try, with Benetton showing impressive defensive qualities as the tempers flared in the final 10 minutes. After an Umaga penalty, Zebre would finally get rewarded for their consistent pressure as they scored a try in the last play as Bianchi completed his brace. Another Prisciantelli conversion meant the hosts came away with a losing bonus-point on the day.

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