Treviso rattle up four tries before half-time to defeat Cardiff Blues
Last Updated: 22/02/15 3:21pm
Full back Jayden Hayward scored 20 points as Treviso earned their four-try PRO12 bonus point before half-time in their 40-24 victory over Cardiff Blues on Friday.
The New Zealander raced 50 metres to score a try, adding three conversions and three penalties for the Italian side in in what looks to be coach Mark Hammett's last game in charge of the Welsh region.
The game took place against a backdrop of intense speculation that it could be New Zealander Hammett's farewell as director of rugby and it is understood he could part company with the Blues as early as Monday.
Mat Luamanu, Angelo Esposito, Enrico Bacchin and Henry Seniloli were the other Treviso try scorers, with Lloyd Williams, Josh Navidi and Adam Thomas claiming touchdowns for the Blues.
Cardiff were hit beforehand by the late withdrawal of fly half Gareth Anscombe, who had been released from the Wales squad for this game but suffered a shoulder injury.
Fellow Wales international Rhys Patchell was switched to stand-off, with Joaquin Tuculet moving to full-back, and kicked three conversions and a penalty, adding a superb break to create Navidi's try.
Treviso, however, had already raced into a 15-0 lead with two tries and a penalty within a quarter of an hour.
In a frantic opening, Williams claimed a try back for Cardiff after Alberto Lucchese had a kick charged down and Patchell kept the Welsh within sight with a penalty.
But both sides’ defensive frailties continued to show as Treviso added two more tries and Cardiff their second – all before half time.
Not long after the restart, Treviso had added their fifth try, Seniloli finishing off some slick handling to effectively seal the game.
Hayward added his final two penalties as Cardiff gained a final consolation try through Thomas, the Blues failing to find a way through in the final half hour as they sought another try to secure a bonus point.
