Pro14: Zebre 37-14 Ospreys
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Pro14: Zebre v Ospreys |
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Zebre (22) 37 |
Tries: Biagi, Bellina 3, Bisegni, Di Giulio Cons: Canna 2 Pens: Canna |
Ospreys (7) 14 |
Tries: S Cross, Morgan-Williams Cons: S Davies Pens: |
Zebre set their new wins record as they hammered much-changed Ospreys in Parma with a bonus-point Pro14 triumph.
It was the Italian club's sixth win of the season, beating their previous best of five in the Pro12 in 2013/14.
Wing Mattia Bellina's hat-trick underlined their superiority, while George Biagi, Giulio Bisegni and Gabriele Di Giulio also went over.
Sam Cross and Reuben Morgan-Williams replied for the visitors, with Sam Davies converting twice.
The win took Zebre to 32 points, two fewer than Irish side Connacht at the bottom of Conference A with only the final round of games - a derby day across the competition - to come on Saturday, 28 April.
If Leinster win at Connacht and Zebre triumph at Benetton, Connacht could end up bottom.
Ospreys changes
Ospreys made 13 starting changes, with only lock Adam Beard and back-rower Sam Cross surviving from the defeat by Ulster.
The Welsh team can qualify for the top-tier European Champions Cup in 2018-19, but only via a play-off.
They also face Cardiff Blues on Welsh rugby's Pro14 Judgement Day at Principality Stadium next Saturday, when many of their established stars can be expected to return.
Interim coach Allen Clarke gave starting debuts to wing Dylan Moss and Georgian international back-row Giorgi Nemsadze, while Dewi Lake made his debut off the bench.
Impressive Bellini
They were led by veteran James Hook at full-back, but there was little the Wales and British and Irish Lions player could do to prevent defeat.
Biagi powered over as Zebre's forward took control early on.
But Zebre produced some exhilarating back-play for Bellini to strut his impressive stuff.
He crossed twice in the opening period and added his third in a less lively second period.
Centre Bisegni showed his attacking prowess to burst clear, as did Di Giulio after he came on in the 71st minute.
Sam Cross and scrum-half replacement Morgan-Williams took their tries well, but the scores meant little amid Zebre's dominance.
Zebre: Matteo Minozzi; Mattia Bellini, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Castello, Giovanbattista Venditti; Carlo Canna, Marcello Violi; Andrea Lovotti, Oliviero Fabiani, Dario Chistolini, Leonard Krumov, George Biagi, Jacopo Sarto, Johan Meyer, David Sisi.
Replacements: Luhandre Luus, Cruze Ah-Naum, Eduardo Bello, Valerio Bernabo, Derick Minnie, Guglielmo Palazzani, Edoardo Padovani, Gabriele Di Giulio.
Ospreys: James Hook; Dewi Cross, Joe Thomas, Luke Price, Dylan Moss; Sam Davies, Matthew Aubrey; Rhodri Jones, Ifan Phillips, Ma'afu Fia, Lloyd Ashley, Adam Beard, Giorgi Nemsadze, Guy Mercer, Sam Cross.
Replacements: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Alex Jeffries, Matthew Dodd, James Ratti, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Kieran Williams, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler.
Referee: Lloyd Linton
Assistants: Keith Allen (SRU) and Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Charles Samson (SRU).
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