History-making Benetton ends Cardiff's Euro dream
MATCH REPORT: Cardiff’s hopes of a third Challenge Cup title ended at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo with a 23-27 quarterfinal loss to Benetton on Saturday.
The Welsh region, who won the competition in 2010 and 2018, played their part in a topsy-turvy affair – Thomas Young and Mason Grady crossing the whitewash in addition to 13 points from the boot of Rhys Priestland.
Benetton, however, becomes the first Italian team to reach a Euro semifinal thanks to tries from Rhyno Smith, Michele Lamaro and Marcus Watson – Jacob Umaga adding ten points from the tee.
The early stages were dominated by the kicking game – flyhalf Priestland opening the scoring with a penalty inside the opening two minutes. Counterpart Umaga responded with two penalties to put the Italians into an early lead.
Following a yellow card for Cardiff’s Teddy Williams, Benetton took full advantage of the extra man as they shifted the ball through the hands to fullback Smith, who showcased sublime acceleration to cross.
Cardiff replied at the half-hour mark. A beautiful kick down the line by Tomos Williams allowed Owen Lane to break in behind the Italian defences.
He looked to have knocked forward, but the officials adjudged it to have gone backwards to Thomas Young, who picked up to dot down and reduce arrears at half-time to three points.
The Welsh region levelled in the early minutes of the second half through Priestland, before they delivered a further blow to the hosts’ hopes. Centre Grady picked up the ball 10 metres into Italian territory and rumbled into the corner through two tacklers.
Midway through the second period it was Benetton’s turn to level proceedings. A well-worked line-out inside the Cardiff 22 allowed the hosts to build through the phases. Eventually, the ball came to flanker Lamaro who powered through to dot down.
Cardiff regained the lead with a 62nd-minute Priestland penalty, his third of the contest, but the Italian side dealt the crucial blow shortly after.
Benetton moved the ball swiftly through the hands from right to left into the path of wing Watson, who bobbled the ball as he was diving for the line but managed to recover – and avoid a knock-on – to send the home crowd wild.
The victory secures Benetton a semifinal against Toulon at the Stade Félix Mayol on the weekend of April 28/29/30.
The scorers
For Benetton
Tries: Smith, Lamaro, Watson
Cons: Umaga 2, Albornoz
Pens: Umaga 2
For Cardiff
Tries: Young, Grady
Cons: Priestland 2
Pens: Priestland 3
Yellow card: Teddy Williams (Cardiff, 15)
Teams
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Nacho Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (captain), 8 Henry Stowers, 7 Michele Lamaro, 6 Seb Negri Da Oleggio, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Replacements: 16 Siua Maile, 17 Thomas Augustin Gallo, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Lorenzo Cannone, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Tomas Albornoz.
Cardiff: 15 Ben Thomas, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Mason Grady, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Thomas Young, 6 James Botham, 5 Teddy Williams, 4 Josh Turnbull (captain), 3 Kieron Assiratti, 2 Liam Belcher, 1 Corey Domachowski.
Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Will Davies-King, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 James Ratti, 22 Lloyd Williams, 23 Jason Harries.
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England), Jack Makepeace (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
Source: @ChallengeCup_
* Picture credit: @Cardiff_Rugby
