The Southern Kings remained winless in the northern hemisphere Pro 14 competition after suffering a 31-3 defeat to Benetton Treviso in their Conference B basement clash at the Stadio Comunate di Monigo on Saturday evening.
The Italian side scored four tries without reply in a workmanlike performance, to record the first victory of their campaign and also added a bonus point to their haul.
The men in the green-hooped jerseys dominated the breakdowns and collisions, wearing their opponents down with a slow poison approach, patient, phase-by-phase rugby and effective pick and drive play by a well-oiled tight five.
The springboard to victory was provided by Benetton flyhalf Marty Banks with three bread and butter first half penalties as well as being provider for their opening try by winger Angelo Esposito.
The pivotal former Highlanders flyhalf was, however, forced to leave the field early in the second half with an injury and replaced by Irishman Ian McKinley.
After an initial 10 minute stanza littered with unforced errors, numerous scrum resets and some messy setpieces, Banks opened the scoring with a penalty.
He landed a further two shots at goal within the first half hour, stretching the lead to 9-0.
As penalties began to mount against the visitors, it was only going to be a matter of time before Irish referee Sean Gallagher’s patience would be stretched too far.
Lock forward Bobby de Wee saw yellow with yet another offside infringement six minutes from the break and Benetton did not waste any time capitalising on the numerical advantage.
After securing quality scrum possession, Banks showed exceptional vision and understanding to spot the absence of cover defence and put in a pin-point cross kick, for unmarked winger Angelo Esposito to round off in the corner.
After a bright finish to the first 40, the Kings did get some reward for their effort with a penalty on the stroke of halftime by flyhalf Pieter-Steyn de Wet.
The hosts just kept building momentum in the second stanza and were rewarded six minutes into the second period when Marco Barbini picked up at the back of the scrum and attacked the blindside for a classic No 8 try.
A sustained period of pressure did not dish up a single point for the Kings, despite stringing together 15 phases at one stage before the hosts turned the ball over.
Esposito forced his way over for a second try two minutes from time and substitute Cherif Traore added to the Kings’ frustration with the bonus point try in overtime with McKinley adding the extras.
Scorers: Treviso 31 (14): Tries: Angelo Esposito (2), Marco Barbini, Cherif Traore. Conversion: Ian McKinley. Penalties: Marty Banks (3)
Kings: 3 (3) Penalty: Pieter-Steyn de Wet
Referee: – Sean Gallagher (Ireland) – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman
