Smith brace helps Benetton to vital win
MATCH REPORT: Fullback Rhyno Smith became Benetton’s all-time leading try scorer in EPCR competitions as his side enjoyed a thumping 29-7 win over Perpignan in Pool 2 of the Challenge Cup.
His seventh try in the competition came after 15 minutes, the culmination of a spectacular sprint down the left, and he rounded the day off crossing the line in the last minute as well.
Benetton flyhalf Jacob Umaga was the day’s other star, converting tries from Smith, hooker Bautista Bernasconi and flanker Alessandro Izekor, whilst he also added a penalty for good measure.
Hooker Victor Montgaillard got a consolation try for the visitors five minutes from time, with Matteo Rodor converting.
Both sides had been reduced to 14 in the last ten minutes of the first half.
Flank Sebastian Negri received a yellow card for a tackle that failed to get the ball, and Perpignan lock Lucas Bachelier was warned at the time for his reaction to the incident – but he was shown a yellow of his own when he charged into a challenge a few seconds later.
Scorers:
For Benetton:
Tries: Smith 2, Bernasconi, Izekor
Cons: Umaga 3
Pen: Umaga
For Perpignan:
Try: Montgaillard
Con: Rodor
Teams:
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Paolo Odogwu, 11 Onisi Ratave, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Sebastian Negri, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (captain), 4 Edoardo Iachizzi, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Mirco Spagnolo
Replacements: 16 Siua Maile, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Niccolò Cannone, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 Henry Time-Stowers, 22 Nicolò Casilio, 23 Leonardo Marin
Perpignan: 15 Boris Goutard, 14 Louis Dupichot, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Eddie Sawailau, 11 Mathieu Acebes, 10 Jean-Pascal Barraque, 9 Matteo Rodor, 8 Valentin Moro, 7 Alan Brazo, 6 Lucas Bachelier, 5 Shahn Eru, 4 Tristan Labouteley, 3 Arthur Joly, 2 Vakhtang Jincharadze, 1 Akato Fakatika
Replacements: 16 Victor Montgaillard, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Nemo Roelofse, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Mathieu Tanguy, 21 Ewan Bertheau, 22 Lenny Viola, 23 Nicola Bozzo
Referee: Eoghan Cross
Assistant referees: Dan Carson, Robbie Jenkinson
TMO: Leo Colgan
Source @EPCR
