Exeter seal Challenge Cup nail-biter over Benetton
MATCH REPORT: A late penalty from Henry Slade saw Exeter edge out Benetton 44-41 and set up a Challenge Cup semifinal against Ulster in Belfast.
Jacob Umaga’s try had given hosts Benetton a 41-38 lead with 15 minutes to go, but Slade kicked a penalty to level it four minutes later, and then split the posts again in the 78th minute to win it – to the fury of the home fans.
In a frantic first half, Exeter led 14-7 after an early Olly Woodburn score and a penalty try, then went 24-14 up after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso barged his way over, and Slade added a conversion and then a penalty.
The hosts were level at the break after an outstanding try from Onisi Ratave was followed by a conversion and penalty from Jacob Umaga, but Harvey Skinner’s converted try two minutes into the second half had Exeter in front once again.
Although Bautista Bernasconi dragged Benetton back level, it was 38-31 to the visitors when Andrea Zambonin crossed from short range in the 48th minute.
Umaga kicked his second penalty in the 63rd minute and then moments later scored a try – that he converted – to give Benetton the lead for the first time since the eighth minute, but Slade’s boot had the final say.
Scorers:
For Benetton:
Tries: Cannone, Umaga 2, Ratave, Bernasconi
Cons: Umaga 5
Pens: Umaga 2
For Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Woodburn, Penalty Try, Feyi-Waboso, Skinner, Zambonin
Cons: Slade 4
Pens: Slade 3
Teams
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Onisi Ratave, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Manuel Zuliani, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Giosue Zilocchi, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Siua Maile, 17 Destiny Aminu, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 21 Sebastian Negri, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Leonardo Marin
Exeter: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Will Rigg, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Steve Varney, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Ross Vintcent, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 3 Jimmy Roots, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rus Tuima, 20 Finn Worley-Brady, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Campbell Ridl
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Jeremy Rozier (France) & Kevin Bralley (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
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