Benetton Treviso is the first Italian team to reach the play off in the Celtic League
Facing a fighting Zebre team in the second derby of the season, Benetton Treviso reached for the memorable milestone in Parma and will face Munster in their first play off appearance.
The Lions were followed by a large contingent of green and white faithful, eager to celebrate the historic moment, the chants “Leoni – Leoni” were as laud and fierce as the “Zebre – Zebre” from the home supporters.
Although judging by the jerseys worn on the stands, the small Parma stadium was packed with plenty of Italian rugby fans from all over the country waiting to witness the remarkable moment.
Zebre didn’t rolled over, they make Treviso work for their win, especially in the first half when the home side dominated possession and territory and were beaten only by episodes.
In the second stanza the stronger bench gave the visitors the upper hand and the required tries to achieve the mathematical play off qualification.
The home team started strongly in the opening minutes they had a first sniff at the try line, but they were repelled by Treviso’s desperate effort.
Thanks to a stronger scrum Zebre were first on the board. The pack won a penalty at the 8th minute that Maicol Azzolini converted for the first three points of the match.
Treviso’s reaction was sterile and marred by handling errors, by a glimpse of genius from Italy’s stand off Tomaso Allan gave them an unexpected lead at the 20th minute.Against the flow of play, Allan kicked a straight ball over Zebre’s defensive line and centre Morisi had an prairie in front of him and had only to touch the ball over the line in front of the posts for the easiest of the 5 points.
Allan added the 2 points with the conversion for the 3-7 partial score after a quarter of the game was played.
Azzolini closed the gap after another infringement by Treviso at the following line out at the 30th minute.
Again Treviso’s reaction wasn’t as accurate as required, with costly mistakes in the opponents 22 meters, but provided an unexpected score against the flow of play.
Number eight Halafihi finished off a nice pass of play from Benetton’s winger Ioane to score in the corner with a dive.
Allan’s conversion from the side line wasn’t even near the uprights.
Treviso showing their superior game plan only at times, but enough to give them 2 tries to zero, although penalties count going strongly against them – 6 to 2 – being a worry.
First Half score Zebre 6 – Treviso 12
The second half saw the trend on penalty continuing and Benetton’s captain received an official warning from referee Andrew Brace after only 3 minutes of play.
At the 54th minute Allan ensured a lead over a converted try with a precise kick from 30 meters slightly on the the left of the posts, and six minutes later Negri was the man to carry the ball over the line with the try that put the game out of reach for the hosts.
Treviso a try away from securing the third spot in conference B, without having to wait for the Scottish derby.
And history was made when Monty Ioane scored in the corner to ensure the first play off qualification in Celtic rugby for the Treviso.
In the last minutes of the game, with the fans already celebrating on the stands, Zebre scored their deserved try thanks to winger Bellini from a scrum 5 meters from the opposition tryline.
Final score Zebre 11 – Treviso 25
The scores:
Zebre 11 (6):
Try: BelliniConv.: Palazzina 0/1
Pen.: Azzolini 2/2
Benetton Treviso 25 (12):
Tries: Morisi, Halafihi, Negri, IoaneConv.: Allan 1/4
Pen.: Allan 1/1
YC: Barbini 75th
