Benetton end Edinburgh's perfect start with 31-12 win in Treviso
Benetton ended Edinburgh's unbeaten run in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, winning 31-12 at Stadio Monigo in Treviso. It was Benetton's first league win of the season, and they picked up a bonus point, the extra table point awarded on top of a win.
Edinburgh had won their opening four matches before this round. Benetton, who had not yet won a league game, made the most of a fast start. Piero Gritti scored a try inside two minutes, and the home side were 18-0 up at half-time.
Gritti was not alone. Ignacio Mendy, Bautista Bernasconi and Onisi Ratave also crossed the line for Benetton. BBC Sport reported the match in detail, and it was Bernasconi who was named Player of the Match by Benetton Rugby.
Edinburgh did not fade. Harri Morris and Harry Paterson scored their tries, and they kept pressing in the second half. A penalty for Benetton in the 75th minute put the final score at 31-12. A penalty is a free kick awarded for a foul, and kicking it over the posts earns three points.
Benetton were accurate with their kicks. They landed all three of their penalty attempts, with Umaga making two from two and Smith one from one. Edinburgh's Grayson had one attempt and missed it.
The match also had a dark moment for Benetton. Matias Medrano was shown a red card for a hit on Grant Gilchrist. A red card sends a player off the pitch, and in this case the sending-off lasted 20 minutes. Benetton had to finish those minutes a player short, and they still went on to take the win.
Benetton's coach, Wayne Pivac, spoke to the media after the game. Edinburgh's first defeat of the campaign leaves them looking at a new set of results to build from, while Benetton can take a win and a bonus point into their next fixtures. The match was Round 5 of the competition, so the table is still taking shape.
For anyone new to the league, the United Rugby Championship brings together teams from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and Italy. Each week, every team plays once, and the results add up to a table that decides who makes the play-offs. Saturday's result moved Benetton up that table, and it ended the best start Edinburgh have had this season.
