Benetton pump brakes on Lions' cup journey

06/04/2024 18:27

The Lions failed to make it back-to-back appearances in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals after going to Benetton in Treviso on Saturday night.

Trailing 17-10 at half time, the Lions were level on the scoreboard soon after the restart courtesy of a try and conversion from flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse, with Benetton down to 14 men for the remainder of the last 16 clash at Stadio di Monigo following hooker Giacomo Nicotera's red card for a dangerous hit on  flanker Emmanuel Tshituka at a breakdown.

But the Italians pulled back in front after replacement Bautista Bernasconi emerged from under a pile of bodies over the whitewash, with playmaker Jacob Umaga's third conversion of the match and a Tomas Albornoz penalty securing a 27-17 win for the hosts.

The Lions fell to 2022-23 losing finalists Glasgow Warriors in the last eight of their maiden EPCR campaign, and Ivan van Rooyen's charges will now have a week's break before they tackle leaders Leinster in the Vodacom URC at Ellis Park on 20 April.

@LionsRugbyCo rumble over for the early score in Treviso!

Watch the action live on https://t.co/cI5BzWKcGS, @SuperSportTV and @FloRugby#ChallengeCuppic.twitter.com/eBYURkHqFU

— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 6, 2024

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Lions skipper Jaco Visagie barged over from the back of a rolling maul, and Hendrikse added the extras, inside the first quarter before loosehead prop Thomas Gallo restored parity for the home side with a converted score from close range.

Benetton took the lead for the first time midway through the opening stanza when South African fullback Rhyno Smith split the uprights with a monster drop goal from just inside his own half.

The hosts extended their advantage after Umaga nailed his second effort from the kicking tee of the first 40 minutes following left winger Onisi Ratave's touchdown in the corner, but a Hendrikse penalty made it a seven-point game before the break.

Benetton inside centre Malakai Fekitoa was sent to the naughty chair for a high tackle on fellow midfielder Erich Cronje inside the final 15 minutes, but Marco Bortolami's men did enough to keep the visitors at bay, and now await a visit next week of the winners between Pau and Connacht on Sunday.

Photo: Valentine Chapuis/Gallo Images

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