Zebre secured just their third win of the Guinness PRO14 season as tries from Johan Meyer and Giovanbattista Venditti saw off Connacht.

The Italian side were physical in defence and controlled territory throughout in a tense and tight encounter.

And when the pressure was on they produced as Meyer scored following a kick over the top and Venditti muscled his way through to clinch it.

The result moves Zebre to within two points of Connacht in a tight Conference A.

With just three wins from nine games and a point off Cardiff Blues in fourth, this was a crucial game for Connacht.

Back in European action at the Sportsground . . .
🏉 Brive
🗓 Sat Dec 16th – 15:00
🎟 https://t.co/EsDVGbTElV pic.twitter.com/q5PfJ0Ixms

— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) November 4, 2017

The 2016 champions started positively, controlling much of the possession in the first ten minutes but they struggled to make much ground against Zebre’s fierce defence.

And the Italians got on the board first as Carlo Canna slotted over a penalty from close range after Connacht were caught offside at the breakdown.

Zebre’s defence was beginning to cause nerves in Connacht’s attack with Tiernan O’Halloran uncharacteristically kicking out on the full while under pressure.

Tries were still unforthcoming through, with Zebre winger Venditti failing to find centre Giulio Bisegni in space after a neat Canna kick to the left flank.

Venditti was in the thick of the action just before the break as he sprinted clear and reached out for the corner following a floated pass out wide.

But O’Halloran just about held the ball up and Zebre were left with just a Canna penalty.

He will not be denied! @giambavenditti finishes off a fantastic @ZebreRugby move to cap victory over @connachtrugby in style! 💪 It finishes 24-10 in Italy.#GUINNESSPRO14 #ZEBvCON pic.twitter.com/YVzwPYD1Jc

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) December 2, 2017

Connacht were a team on a mission after the break and took the lead within five minutes of the re-start as Tom Farrell burst through to score with Steve Crosbie converting.

Zebre piled forward with Canna at the heart of everything they did in possession, and it was his break which almost set up a try.

Connacht’s scramble defence just about prevented it but Canna put them back ahead with his third penalty.

Jack Carty regained the lead for Connacht, with the Irish side injecting more urgency into their play but they were stung as Meyer latched onto the end of a kick over the top to dot down.

Canna extended that to nine points with a penalty before Venditti powered through to cap off a superb afternoon.

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