RaboDirect PRO12: Zebre edge out Treviso in Italian derby

Luciano Orquera: three penalties proved crucial

The hosts, who had lost on the road at Treviso a week ago, trailed 9-5 at the break despite scoring the only try through full-back Guglielmo Palazzani as fly-half Mat Berquist kicked three penalties for the visitors.

Berquist added another three-pointer after the resumption but a trio of penalties for Italy international Orquera gave Zebre the spoils in a 14-12 scoreline.

Treviso had come out on top in a narrow encounter the last time these two sides met, but it was a different story at the home of Zebre.

Again, there was little between these two teams, who have struggled to make an impact in competition this season, and discipline played a major role in the game's outcome.

The first points of the game came in the 14th minute, when Gugliemo Palazzani crossed for the game's first and only try to give Zebre the lead. The Italian international showed great determination to get over the line, and his effort was given the green light by the TMO, though Orquera was unable to convert.

But Treviso hit back in the minutes that followed and capitalised on home indiscipline to take the lead through two sweetly-struck Berquist penalties. And Berquist added a third on the stroke of half-time to give Treviso a 5-9 lead as the teams headed down the tunnel.

The second half was a similarly tight affair, with neither side able to get over the line for a decisive second try of the game. Orquera's penalty just after the restart shaved Treviso's advantage down to a single point, and he added another on 52 minutes to put his side back in front.

Berquist responded in kind to restore the narrowest advantages for the visitors, but indiscipline again cost Treviso on 65 minutes as Orquera stepped up to make it 14-12.

Treviso searched in vain for in the final stages for the points that could win them the game, but Zebre held their line and their discipline to secure a much needed win following a terrible run of form.