Zebre secured their first-ever RaboDirect PRO12 victory at the Stadio XXV Aprile by 14-12 – and it was made all the sweeter in overcoming Italian rivals Benetton Treviso. Their second-ever victory in the tournament – after a win on their travels at Cardiff Blues earlier this season – was set up by Guglielmo Palazzani’s score early on in the first half. Matt Berquist was on form for Treviso from the kicking tee but his 12 points was not enough to stop Zebre’s day of destiny, as Luciano Orquera hit three penalties for the hosts. The Italian bragging rights were at stake for the second time between the two sides in the RaboDirect PRO12 after Treviso did the double over Zebre last season. Victory for the visitors would hand two wins out of two to new boss Marius Goosen – but it was Zebre who piled on the pressure first in front of a packed Stadio XXV Aprile. And after ten minutes they found the breakthrough when the ball was chipped over the Treviso defence, sparking a mad scramble that saw the ball evade touch by inches before Palazzani deftly dotted down. Orquera missed a difficult conversion but opposing kicker Berquist – who racked up ten points in last week’s derby – split the uprights soon after with a long-range penalty. Both teams cranked up the tempo including a bisecting run by Zebre wing Giovanbattista Venditti, but it was the two defences that were winning the penalties at the breakdown. Then Dion Berryman’s kick into touch did not have the distance and Treviso won a penalty from the lineout – Berquist stepping up to thump his side into the lead. It continued to be a war of attrition until a penalty by Italy lock Marco Bortolami handed Berquist another opportunity from the tee, but Zebre escaped scot-free as the Kiwi came up short. They were made to pay before the interval however as in the last move of the first half the Treviso half-back made no mistake with another three-pointer. Moments after the interval Orquera finally got the chance to stretch his legs after Berryman had won a penalty in the ruck, popping a simple penalty over the bar. There was just one point in it and while Treviso were looking the more likelier to cross the whitewash, Orquera was beginning to emerge from Berquist’s shadow. The Italy fly-half smashed through a penalty but no sooner had he re-established a Zebre lead did Berquist, from front and centre, drill the visitors on top once more. Midway through the half a driving maul by the hosts ground the Treviso defences down and, having forced a penalty, Orquera made it three out of three for the afternoon. As much as Zebre were sensing their second-ever win in the RaboDirect PRO12 Treviso were gunning for a comeback, but Goosen’s troops continued to be ill-discplined at the breakdown with the try-line looming. And the crucial moment came when Tobias Botes knocked on after collecting a high ball, only for Orquera to fluff his lines from the tee. Fortunately for the Italy international it would not matter as Zebre controlled the ball in the dying minutes to see out a historic game. Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up to our newsletter for regular updates on the RaboDirect PRO12
