Andries Van Schalkwyk’s late score secured Zebre their first ever try bonus point victory in the GUINNESS PRO12 as they beat Cardiff Blues 26-15. The game had barely begun when both teams were able to celebrate tries, Dion Berryman going over for the hosts only for Adam Thomas to cancel it out at the other end. But Zebre didn’t panic after being pegged back and led 19-8 at half-time as Andries Van Schalkwyk and Johan Meyer went over. Cardiff Blues found themselves trailing by just four points with ten minutes to go as Tom James dotted down, but with four minutes remaining, Van Schalkwyk was celebrating his second of the game to secure Zebre the bonus point victory and another win, having just beaten Edinburgh. The visitors won this reverse fixture 61-13 on the opening day of the GUINNESS PRO12 season but an early knock on from the Welsh region had Zebre tails up and after four minutes the home side were celebrating a try as Carlo Canna offloaded to Berryman to race over in the corner. Canna missed the conversion from out wide and just moments later Cardiff Blues were level as paitent play saw Rhys Patchell’s floated pass sent Thomas over after eight minutes. Patchell was also wide with his conversion attempt and Zebre were refusing to lie down, Leonardo Sarto threatening down the left wing, but some Blues cover defence snuffed out the danger. The home side didn’t have to wait long to go back in front though as Matteo Pratichetti pounced on a spilled ball and Van Schalkwyk finished the move off, with Canna adding the extras. Canna had the chance to edge Zebre further in front when Cardiff Blues were pinged for side entry, but he sliced his kick wide on 23 minutes. However, ten minutes later he redeemed himself with a superb kick in behind that Meyer picked up and dotted down; Canna converting. Two minutes later Patchell sent a penalty through the posts to bring the visitors closer, but they had to defend sternly up until the half-time whistle as Zebre pushed for a fourth try. Zebre thought they had that bonus-point try shortly after the restart as Canna went over in the corner, but the TMO showed that he was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle from Lloyd Williams. Cardiff Blues then bagan to dominate territory and possession but the home side held firm, and at the other end Sarto beat two men only for Manoa Vosawai to win a penalty and relieve some pressure. But just after the hour mark, Cardiff Blues were trailing by only four points as good work from Williams sent James over, with Patchell adding the extras. Cardiff were in the ascendancy now and good work from Voaswai and Josh Navidi saw Patchell line up a kick at the posts, but his 64th-minute effort drifted wide of the left upright. The Cardiff Blues scrum had Zebre on the back foot and resulted in Andrea De Marchi being sent to the bin with just over ten minutes remaining. But the home side held firm and with four minutes to go Van Schalkwyk was celebrating a second try and Canna added the extras as Cardiff Blues suffered a fifth-straight GUINNESS PRO12 defeat. To buy tickets for the GUINNESS PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12.
