The Lions now return to South Africa with solely a spot within the URC high eight to combat for over the remainder of their season.
It was a bitterly disappointing evening for the Lions in Treviso as a wasteful efficiency noticed them go down 27-17 in opposition to a 14-man Benetton of their Challenge Cup final 16 conflict on the Stadio Monigo on Saturday evening.
The hosts performed the final 36 minutes of the sport with a participant much less after a crimson card, whereas 10 minutes of these had been spent with 13 gamers on the sector after a late yellow, however regardless of the numerical benefit the Lions made a bunch of errors to fall to a poor defeat.
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They now return to South Africa with solely a spot within the United Rugby Championship (URC) high eight to combat for, on what might turn into a really disappointing season if they’re unable to make the playoffs.
Perfect begin
In the match the Lions acquired off to the right begin as they setup a lineout within the Benetton 22m, setup the maul and powered over for hooker Jaco Visagie to attain, with flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse including the extras for a 7-0 lead after simply two minutes.
The hosts hit again six minutes later as they counter attacked into the Lions 22m, the place prop Thomas Gallo acquired the ball at tempo near the road and smashed over for the transformed attempt to stage the scores.
A monster drop aim within the 27th minute from former Cheetahs star Rhyno Smith gave the hosts the lead they usually prolonged it with a 33rd minute attempt to wing Onisi Ratave, after a superb assault discovered the Lions defence stretched, with flyhalf Jacob Umaga nailing the conversion for a 17-7 lead.
Hendrikse, who had missed an earlier penalty, nailed his second try within the 37th minute to see the Lions go into the break seven factors behind.
The second half acquired off to a disastrous begin for the hosts as hooker Giacomo Nicotera deservedly acquired a crimson card within the 44th minute for a poor clear out at a ruck that noticed his shoulder join with the neck and head of a Lions participant.
Level scores
The Lions capitalised on the additional man instantly by kicking the resultant penalty into the Benetton 22m, earlier than seeing their maul stopped brief, with them attacking till Hendrikse acquired the ball, stepped by means of a number of challenges and went over to stage the scores.
Benetton nevertheless hit straight again within the 51st minute as they punished the Lions ill-discipline by kicking their approach into their 22m, organising an enormous maul from the lineout and driving over for alternative hooker Bautiste Bernasconi, with Umaga’s extras shifting them forward 24-17.
An extended vary penalty from alternative again Tomas Albornoz within the 63rd minute pushed the Benetton lead out to 10 factors.
The hosts had been then diminished to 13-men within the 67th minute when centre Malakai Fekitoa acquired a yellow card for a excessive hit on Lions attacker.
But regardless of the 2 man benefit the Lions had been disappointingly unable to capitalise as they stayed scoreless throughout this era, and over the remainder of the sport to drop out of the event with a whimper.
Scorers
Benetton: Tries – Thomas Gallo, Onisi Ratave, Bautiste Bernasconi; Conversions – Jacob Umaga (3); Penalties – Tomas Albornoz; Drop Goal – Rhyno Smith
Lions: Tries – Jaco Visagie, Jordan Hendrikse; Conversions – Hendrikse (2); Penalty – Hendrikse
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