Benetton Rugby Snatch Win Over Cardiff Rugby With Late Try

 

Benetton scored a last-minute try to snatch a three-point 21-18 win against Edinburgh after visiting centre Mosese Tuipulotu had been sent off late on in the United Rugby Championship match at Stadio di Monigo.

Jacob Umaga opened the scoring for the hosts with a penalty, but Edinburgh soon went ahead in the 18th minute when Ross McCann collected a cross-field kick from Ross Thompson to touch down on the flank.

Thompson and Umaga exchanged penalties before Benetton broke down the right and Ignacio Mendy went over, with the conversion missed.

Another penalty from Thompson in added time gave the visitors the edge at 13-11 at the break.

Edinburgh - who won away to Munster last time out - extended their lead early in the second half when Ewan Ashman was driven over from a maul, but Thompson could not land the extras.

In the 63rd minute, Benetton winger Paolo Odogwu dived over after a break down the left to reduce the gap back to just two points, with the conversion missed.

The match turned in the 76th minute when Tuipulotu was shown a red card following a TMO review for a dangerous tackle, which was deemed head contact from the Edinburgh centre's shoulder.

Benetton made the most of their man advantage, with Alessandro Izekor scoring in the final minute after a fine solo run to complete the comeback.

Scorers:
Benetton: Tries: Ignacio Mendy, Paolo Odogwu, Alessandro Izekor. Penalties: Jacob Umaga (2).
Edinburgh Rugby: Tries: Ross McCann, Ewan Ashman. Conversion: Ross Thompson. Penalties: Ross Thompson (2).

Teams:

Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Ignacio Brex, 11 Paolo Odogwu, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (c), 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosué Zilocchi, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 Michele Lamaro, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Tomas Albornoz.

Edinburgh Rugby: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Matt Currie, 13 James Lang, 12 Mosese Tuipoluto, 11 Ross McCann, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott (c), 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Ben Muncaster, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Paddy Harrison, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Glen Young, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Ali Price, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Jack Brown.