Outside centre Tommaso Menoncello scored two of Benetton Rugby’s eight tries as they secured passage to the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 campaign with a 57-18 victory over Newcastle Falcons.
Newcastle Falcons came into the game needing a first win to keep their tournament hopes alive and fly-half Brett Connon kicked them ahead before tighthead prop Eduardo Bello scored the game’s opening try on 12 minutes.
However, Benetton Rugby responded with fly-half Tomas Albornoz finding a gap and converting his own try, before left-wing Onisi Ratave profited from quick offloads for a second try to take a 10-12 lead.
Connon briefly regained the lead with a penalty for the hosts before Menoncello cut back inside from the left to score his side’s third try of the half.
Ratave put his side out of sight within four second-half minutes after a dummy drive by inside centre Nacho Brex released the left winger to secure a bonus point fourth score.
Albornoz provided his side with a fifth try when an intricate pass out wide released right winger
Ignacio Mendy.
Menoncello scored his second try of the evening in 56 minutes driving through several tackles before scoring.
Newcastle Falcons showed fighting spirit and replacement tighthead prop Murray McCallum forced the ball over for his side’s second score, converted by Connon.
However, Benetton Rugby maintained their pressure with replacement openside flanker Alessandro Izekor driving over from the back of a ruck, before replacement fly-half Jacob Umaga scored an eighth try at the death.
Newcastle Falcons will finish their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign at USAP next weekend, while Benetton Rugby host Montpellier Herault Rugby.
Scorers:
Newcastle Falcons: Tries: Eduardo Bello, Murray McCallum. Conversion: Brett Connon. Penalties: Brett Connon (2).
Benetton Rugby: Tries: Tomas Albornoz, Onisi Ratave, Tommaso Menoncello (2), Onisi Ratave, Ignacio Mendy, Alessandro Izekor, Jacob Umaga. Conversions: Tomas Albornoz (4), Jacob Umaga (3). Penalties: Tomas Albornoz.