Southern Kings 35-36 Benetton: Banks helps Italians clinch thriller
Last Updated: 24/03/18 10:20pm
Marty Banks scored 16 points as Benetton held off a second-half fightback from Southern Kings to record a 36-35 Guinness PRO14 victory.
The two sides both put five tries on the board and Banks' accuracy from the tee ultimately proved to be the difference.
The visitors raced to a 12-0 lead courtesy of early five-pointers from Thomas Baravalle and Marco Lazzaroni - Banks on target with the second conversion.
The home side responded quickly through Luzuko Vulindlu and his reply was converted by Kurt Colemam to put them back in touching distance.
With half-time approaching, Godien Masimia levelled proceedings and Coleman's second conversion edged the home side 14-12 ahead.
The Kings' lead was to be short-lived though as Banks and Tommaso Iannone crossed in a potent eight minutes for Treviso.
The seesawing nature of the match continued as Ruaan Lerm helped to reduced the deficit four minutes from the break. Masixole Banda's conversion poised the encounter at 21-26 after the first 40 minutes.
In the second period the visiting side flew out of the blocks quicker than their hosts.
Braam Steyn secured their fifth score of the afternoon and that was followed by a penalty try for the home team.
Banks' final penalty came while Federico Ruzza was in the sin-bin and the Italian outfit had to hold off a late converted-score from Berton Klassen to secure the hard-fought victory.
