The match valid for the fourteenth day of the United Rugby Championship was played in Monigo and Benetton Treviso and Newport Dragons took to the pitch. For the Venetians the opportunity, and the obligation, to win important points in the playoffs, while Newport was looking for a coup to revive a difficult season. Here’s how it went.
Balanced start to the match, with Treviso taking advantage of the scrum to push the Dragons away from their 22 metres, but teams struggling to build dangerous actions. First flash in the 5th minute, when Rhyno Smith finds a fantastic gap, he takes off, offload to Leonardo Marin, who however doesn’t pass and a wasted opportunity. In the 7th minute, however, Marin and Smith exchange roles and the number 15 reaches the end and the score is 7-0. A few too many errors on both sides, with Newport able to get back into attack, an opportunity but the ball intercepted by Ratave and nothing happened. In the 18th minute another green and white burst, this time with Uren, but the midfielder isolates himself and eventually loses the ball.
The Dragons persist, but an excellent Venetian defense extinguishes any hope for the guests. So Treviso pushes again, but a wrong pass from Albornoz denies a golden opportunity. Thus we remain essentially in balance in Monigo as the minutes pass. At the half hour mark, a very good opportunity for Treviso and at the end from the maul it is Gianmarco Lucchesi who breaks away and dunks for 12-0. And at 36′ Uren intercepts a ball, takes off and smashes between the posts to make it 19-0.
Treviso who now has 40 minutes to keep Newport out of the game and to find the goal of a fundamental bonus in the playoff race. But in the 43rd minute the ball was intercepted by Ross in Albernoz, the run made it 22-22 and the goal made it 19-7. Treviso’s reaction was immediate, however, as in the 45th minute a kick found Ratave wide, who remained on the pitch and crushed. Bonus and score going to 24-7. Once again, however, Treviso gives the ball and a try to the Dragons in the 53rd minute with Blacker to make it 24-12.
Benetton who, thus, keeps the Newport Dragons alive as we enter the last quarter of the match. And too many handling errors by the Venetians, who concede possession to the guests. Try to raise Treviso’s center of gravity, aiming for superiority in the scrum, and let the minutes pass. AND in the 71st minute the goal that closes the discussion. Scrum in the defensive 22 for the Dragons, free kick which is blocked by Iachizzi, who despite being held back dives and dunks for 29-12. And before the end Michele Lamaro also scores for 36-12. And before the end third green and white gift to the Dragons thanking and scoring with Hope for 36-19 which gives the Welsh team hope for the bonus.
Tags: Benetton Treviso mission accomplished Newport beaten bonus
