The Emirates Lions may only have had pride to play for, which they did, outplaying their visitors during the last 20 minutes of the match to score a bonus-point win of 37-29.
The Emirates Lions started with a bang, whereafter the visitors took control of the first half. The Lions' late try made the score look a bit more respectable but did not reflect the onfield action.
02:00 Jordan Hendrikse converted a penalty to take an early lead. (03-00)
13:33 Ruben Schoeman scored the Lions first try. 08-00)
17:01 Tomas Albornoz scored a converted penalty for the visitors (08-03)
25:59 Rhyno Smith scored Benetton's first try of the match after a quick tap on the Lions' tryline. (08-10)
29:54 Filippo Drago scored Benetton's second try of the match after slicing through the "defence" of the Lions backline. (08-17)
37:22 Rhyno Smith scored Benetton's third try after slick handling by Benetton's backline allowed him to walk over with ease. (08-22)
40:00 Morne van den Berg scored the Lions' second try after a quick tap five meters from the tryline (15-22)
40:00 The Emirates Lions started with a bang, whereafter the visitors took control of the first half. The Lions late try made the score look a bit more respectable but did not reflect the onfield action.
42:24 Edwill van der Merwe made a telling break and scored the equaliser after just two minutes of the second half (22-22).
52:04 Stean Pienaar went over in the corner to score the Lions' bonus point try. (27-22)
62:05 Jordan Hendrikse scored a great individual try for the hosts. (34-22)
67:29 Jordan Hendrikse converted a penalty for the Lions. (37-22)
80:00 Lorenzo Cannonescored Benetton's fourth and bonus point try. (37-29)
Scorers:
Emirates Lions: Tries: Ruben Schoeman, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Jordan Hendrikse. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3). Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (2).
Benetton: Tries: Rhyno Smith (2), Filippo Drago, Lorenzo Cannone. Conversion: Rhyno Smith (3). Penalty:Tomas Albornoz
Teams:
Emirates Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Stean Pienaar, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Morne van den Berg, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Francke Horn, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. PJ Botha, 1. JP Smith. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Ruan Venter, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Andre Warner, 22. Manuel Rass, 23. Tiaan Swanepoel.
Benetton: 15. Rhyno Smith, 14. Edoardo Padovani, 13. Tommaso Menoncello, 12. Filippo Drago, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Tomas Albornoz, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage (captain), 8. Lorenzo Cannone, 7. Manuel Zuliani, 6. Giovanni Pettinelli, 5. Carl Wegner, 4. Irnè Herbst, 3. Simone Ferrari, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 1. Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16. Hame Faiva, 17. Ivan Nemer, 18. Tiziano Pasquali, 19. Federico Ruzza, 20. Matteo Meggiato, 21. Alessandro Garbisi, 22. Leonardo Marin, 23. Andries Coetzee