| Zebre (15) 30 |
| Tries: Gesi, Krumov, Trulla, Kvesic Cons: Prisciantelli 2 Pens: Prisciantelli 2 |
| Cardiff (17) 34 |
| Tries: Botham 2, Grady, Belcher Cons: Priestland 4 Pens: Priestland, Evans |
Cardiff held out for a nail-biting win at Zebre to maintain their play-off hopes alive within the United Rugby Championship.
James Botham marked his return with two tries from lineout drives as Cardiff’s pack dominated early on.
Hooker Liam Belcher and Mason Grady adopted within the second half to steer 34-18 in Parma.
However Shane Lewis-Hughes was proven a late yellow card as Zebre rallied with two late to come back agonisingly near first win of the season.
Cardiff’s director of rugby Dai Younger mentioned this was a “must-win” sport if they’re to have any likelihood of breaking into the highest eight within the last weeks.
And their late defensive stand with 14 males stored their league season alive.
The bonus-point win takes them degree with eighth positioned Connacht, who play Edinburgh on Saturday.
Priestland conjures up
Cardiff welcomed again Botham and Rhys Priestland from accidents and each had a serious influence.
Zebre confirmed ambition in assault and scored via new Italy wing Simone Gesi inside three minutes.
Nonetheless it’s no secret learn how to tackle the league’s backside aspect – with out a win in 22 league video games – who seem to have deserted the standard strengths of Italian rugby up entrance.
Cardiff’s new entrance row of Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher and Keiron Assiratti dominated the scrum.
From the ensuing penalties, the pin-point boot of Priestland, out since January with a hamstring drawback, repeatedly acquired Cardiff in touching distance of the attempt line.
And Botham marked his return from appendix surgical procedure with two tries as Cardiff’s driving maul met little resistance.
Having shaken off a shaky begin, Cardiff led 17-7 however any ideas of breaking clear had been dashed when Zebre’s large second-row Leonardo Krumov galloped over from 20 metres.
Geronimo Prisciantelli hit the woodwork twice however was on course both aspect of half-time to place Zebre forward 18-17 early within the second half.
Nonetheless Priestland and his pack regained the initiative.
The fly-half caught Zebre napping with a quickly-taken penalty, kicking throughout area the place the bounce fell kindly for Grady to walk in.
Cardiff’s forwards then accomplished a hat-trick of tries from their attacking lineout when hooker Belcher rumbled over on 51 minutes.
Jason Harries ought to have weighed in with a attempt when he charged down a kick, however the wing inexplicably tried to volley the ball over the road and confirmed simply why he isn’t a soccer participant.
Grady was additionally denied a second when he was held up over the road.
Priestland’s alternative Jarrod Evans kicked a 66th-minute penalty and Cardiff wanted the respiratory house late on.
Trulla stepped via to attain and when flanker Lewis-Hughes, making his first begin since October, was proven a yellow card 9 minutes from time, Cardiff seemed ragged.
Matt Kvesic then burrowed over to arrange an exciting climax however Rhys Carre produced an important turnover and Cardiff held out – simply.
Cardiff director of rugby Dai Younger:
“We’re relieved. We should have gained that sport thrice over however we knew [Zebre] can rating from wherever and it went proper to the tip.
“There are clearly issues to work on however the set-piece and driving maul was good and set the platform.
“Ultimately, we could not have completed greater than 5 factors and we march on.”
Zebre: Richard Kriel; Kobus Van Wyk, Erich Cronje, Enrico Lucchin, Simone Gesi; Geronimo Prisciantelli, Chris Prepare dinner; Paolo Buonfiglio, Jacques Du Toit, Muhamed Hasa, Jan Uys, Leonardo Krumov, Luca Andreani, Jacopo Bianchi, Giovani Licata.
Replacements: Giampietro Ribaldi, Luca Rizzoli, Riccardo Genovese, Dave Sisi, Matt Kvesic, Alessandro Fusco, Nicolo Teneggi, Jacopo Trulla.
Cardiff: Ben Thomas; Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Jason Harries; Rhys Priestland, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Josh Turnbull (capt.), Teddy Williams, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, James Ratti
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Thomas Younger, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Matthew Morgan
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Assistant referees: Riccardo Angelucci & Matteo Locatelli (FIR)
TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)
