Delight for Treviso, as Ospreys fail
Benetton Treviso finally broke their two season duck in the top-tier of European Cup, as they once again turned on the Ospreys.
The Pro12 leaders were unceremoniously beaten, once again, at Stadio Monigo – as a last minute penalty try at the foot of the visitors' posts and Jayden Hayward's conversion allowed Treviso to steal a 23-20 victory at the death.
The win ended a run of 11 successive European defeats for the Italian side, providing them with a first win since they beat the Ospreys 17-14 in round 6 of the 2012/13 campaign.
Wales squad member James King, playing in the second row, gave the Ospreys a flying start with a try after seven minutes when he galloped through from 20 metres, but Treviso were ahead 16-12 at the break thanks to two tries of their own.
The first came from wing Angelo Esposito and then back row man Marco Barbini crossed just before half-time.
That allowed the home side to edge their noses in front at the break after Eli Walker had raced clear for a second try for the Ospreys.
In the second half the Ospreys hit back and went into what looked like being a winning lead at 20-16.
Sam Davies kicked a penalty to bring the Welsh side within a point, but fatally missed with another that would have extended the lead.
But the flyhalf redeemed himself minutes later when his brilliant break paved the way for full back Richard Fussell to cross in the corner for a 70th minute try.
Once again the young flyhalf was unable to add the extras and the home side remained within touching distance.
But the pressure mounted from the home side in the closing 10 minutes and scrumhalf Eduoardo Gori made the break that took them up to the Ospreys line. At the scrum, the power of the home pack told and French referee Mathieu Raynal had no hesitation in signalling a penalty try.
Fullback Jayden Hayward stepped up to fire over the easy conversion and victory was complete for the home side.
The scorers:
For Benetton Treviso:
Tries: Esposito, Barbini, Penalty
Con: Hayward
Pens: Hayward 2
For Ospreys:
Tries: King, Walker, Fussell
Con: Davies
Pen: Davies
Teams:
Benetton Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Andrea Pratichetti, 10 Samuel John Christie, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Mathew Henry Luamanu, 7 Alessandro Zanni (captain), 6 Marco Barbini, 5 Cornelius van Zyl, 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Salesi Manu, 2 Albert, 1 Matteo Zanusso.
Replacments: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Josè Francisco Novak, 18 Rupert Harden, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Enrico Bacchin, 22 Simone Ragusi, 23 James Ambrosini.
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Thomas Grabham, 13 Hanno Dirksen, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Tyler Ardron (captain), 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Lewis, 5 James King, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Marc Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dmitri Arhip, 19 Morgan Allen, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Thomas Habberfield, 22 Aisea Natoga, 23 Daniel Evans.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Laurent Cardona (France), Thomas Charabas (France)
TMO: Vincent Azoulay (France)
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