**Benetton maintained the Guinness PRO14 Italian bragging rights with a hard-fought 13-8 triumph over Zebre in Parma.**

In a game short of free-flowing rugby given the torrid conditions at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, a second half try from Epalahame Faiva and eight points from the boot of Ian Keatley were enough to dash the hosts’ hopes.

Replacement Marco Manfredi scored for Michael Bradley’s side to set up a grandstand finish under the lights, but a late Keatley penalty was enough to see the visitors home and make it eight defeats in the last nine meetings against Benetton for a disappointed Zebre.

Key moments

It was a cagey start to a game contested in unfavourable conditions, as both sides kicked for territory and were clearly reluctant to risk executing any fluid passing moves.

And with no early try-scoring opportunities it was up to the home side’s scrum-half Marcello Violi to open the scoring, missing three early penalties and failing to capitalise on a Marco Riccioni yellow card to leave the score at 0-0 on the half hour mark.

But Bradley’s side persevered, eventually crafting the most promising opening of an otherwise uneventful first half four minutes before the break but encountering a resilient Benetton defence.

They failed to make their pressure pay with a try but Violi finally found his range from a resulting penalty, edging the hosts ahead with his fourth attempt on the cusp of half-time.

The second half unfolded in a largely similar fashion, with conditions continuing to inhibit any fluent, aesthetic rugby.

But it was the away side who eventually broke the try-scoring deadlock, enjoying a sustained period of pressure and bundling over through hooker Faiva on 53 minutes.

And fly-half Keatley added the extras before slotting a further penalty ten minutes later, opening up the first real daylight between the sides with under 20 minutes remaining.

But the hosts hit back, capitalising on a Toa Halafihi yellow card to force their way over through Manfredi and tee up an exhilarating climax.

And despite a late Zebre rally after Nicola Quaglio was sent to the sin-bin, the visitors held on to secure yet another triumph over their rivals.

Man of the match

It was a difficult choice but the influence of Keatley was ultimately what sealed it for Benetton, slotting two penalties and a conversion to maintain Kieran Crowley’s team’s lead.

And while he failed to dominate in a largely absent midfield battle given the conditions, that was all that was required for the away side to clinch the victory.

Play of the day

In a game short of flair or quality the play of the day was the visitors’ solitary try, patiently building pressure deep in Zebre territory after some industrious work from the pack.

And it was Faiva who eventually made the telling contribution, bulldozing over from close range to extinguish the hosts’ hopes of a derby day victory once again.