Benetton, win with bonus against Perpignan
Benetton-Perpignan 29-7
Benetton Rugby returns to Monigo for the second round of its group in the Challenge Cup. The Lions in the first round succumbed to the Ospreys away and at home against Perpignan they want to get their first cup success of the season. The transalpines in the opening match also experienced a home defeat against the Lions.
The challenge begins and it is the Lions who keep the ball of the game, but they are undisciplined in their own half of the field and Perpignan enters touches in the green-and-white five meters. The Lions però are reckless in defense and pass forward. The goal è the result of a sensational action of Rhyno Smith. The fullback starts from his half of the field, with a pirouette eludes the tackle of two opponents and finds the opening to escape in the goal on the left flag. Umaga converts. The hosts want the second goal and look for it in every way.
Then referee Cross cautions Negri for an improper cleanup against Rodor and a minute later draws a yellow to Bachelier for misbehavior on Uren. It è was 14 vs. 14 and the Lions extended the gap with Jacob Umaga’s spot kick, due to a guest offside. The Trevisans push their foot on the accelerator and run away again. Maul on the transalpine five, overflowing cart helmed by Bautista Bernasconi who smashes in the goal. Umaga è still accurate and first half ending 17-0 for the Lions.
The match resumes and it’s back to even numbers and 15 vs 15. The Lions want to increase the gap and succeed in the opening of the second half. The oval comes confusingly out of the breakdown, Umaga with a kick triggers the run of Alexander Izekor who on the right wing drives the driving wheels, overflows with power, smashes two tackles and goes to score. Umaga does not miss from the pitch. The round of substitutions begins and Time-Stowers takes over from Lorenzo Cannone. The green-and-white coach also changes the entire first line with Zani, Maile and Alongi for Spagnolo, Bernasconi and Pasquali.
Odogwu must also leave due to a blow to the head and Marin, making his return to the field at Monigo after more than a year, takes his place. Favretto also comes in for captain Snyman. The match becomes choppy and dominated by fouls. Then Negri receives his second yellow for a dangerous tackle and is then sent off. In the last minutes the green-and-whites look for the fourth goal for the offensive bonus, però Perpignan goes up the field and with the drive finds the goal with Montgaillard. Rodor transforms. The green-and-whites are down a man, but of will and quality; they get the fourth goal valid for the offensive bonus point. It was scored by Rhyno Smith, the author of a decisive double: the fullback quickly beats a free kick, eludes the opponents and crushes the ball in the goal. It ends 29-7 for the Lions, who take five points and momentarily climb with 6 points to second place in Pool 2.
