Rugby, Italy’s Derby still belongs to Benetton

Two wins out of two for Benetton against Zebre

After a narrow success on Saturday, Dec. 21 (11-10 the final result at the 'Comunale' in Monigo), Benetton Rugby also won the second act of the Derby d'Italia against Zebre Parma, overcoming the Emilians at the 'Lanfranchi' with a more net 24-12. The match was valid for the ninth day of the United Rugby Championship, the supranational tournament that includes, in addition to the two Italians, teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and South Africa.

The match, after twenty minutes of equilibrium, broke the deadlock with the hosts’ goal, who went through with Fischetti’s try and added points from Da Re’s square to make it 7-0. Five minutes later Benetton shortened with a goal by Maile, unconverted, before taking the lead 3' from halftime again with a heavy marking by the Tongan, for 10-7 green-and-white.

In the second half the Zebras went back ahead with a goal by Gesi, unconverted, for 12-10, and from 57' the Lions also remained in numerical inferiority for the red to Spagnolo, an inferiority that became double for 10' between 61' and 71' for the yellow to Izekor. Despite this, Brex scored the goal that put Benetton back in the lead at 66' (there's Smith's transformation for 17-12), while with time largely expired Marin sealed the success by scoring both the heavy marker and the two additional points, for the final 24-12.

For Benetton è a crucial success for the standings, which sees the Lions in the playoff zone. Including the Champions Cup, è the third win in a row for the green-and-whites. Nothing to do instead for the Zebras, who after the double derby remain in second-to-last place in the URC and close the month of December without a win.