In a heartbreaker for Glasgow Warriors, Benetton edged a thrilling 16‑14 win in Treviso thanks to an 82nd‑minute drop goal by Rhyno Smith.
The match had looked to be heading Glasgow’s way after strong first-half showing, but the hosts rallied when it mattered most to snatch victory in dramatic style.
First Half: Glasgow In Command
Glasgow set the tone early. Their relentless pressure forced a Benetton lineout deep inside their 22 in the opening phases, though the hosts defended stoutly.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute. After a series of phases, Jare Oguntibeju powered over from close range following a penalty maul, with Adam Hastings converting to give Glasgow a 7‑0 lead.
Benetton responded with a Jacob Umaga penalty six minutes later to reduce the margin.
Then, as the half progressed, Glasgow struck again. Josh McKay broke through from halfway, running a clever line and diving under the posts. Hastings added the conversion to make it 14‑3.
Just before halftime, Glasgow pushed for a third. Steyn and Macenzzie Duncan combined on a rampaging run, but the referee ruled the attack had been stopped for a breakdown infringement. No try was awarded.
At the break, Glasgow held a 14‑3 lead and looked well in control.
Second Half: Benetton Fightback & Showpiece Finish
Benetton emerged aggressively after the interval. They probed Glasgow’s defence in waves. A key turning point arrived around the 50th minute when Tommaso Menoncello, finishing off a slick move initiated by Paolo Odogwu, crossed for a try. Umaga converted, closing the gap to 14‑10.
As the game ticked on, Benetton’s momentum grew. They drew repeated penalties as Glasgow were forced into defensive errors. Umaga slotted a second penalty to bring it to 14‑13.
Despite Glasgow’s best efforts — including pressure in the final phases and attempts to exit the back — Benetton retained composure. As time wound down, they engineered field position and earned a penalty advantage. From just inside the pocket, Smith dropped a 40-metre effort clean through for the win.
The final score stood at Benetton 16, Glasgow Warriors 14.
Glasgow left Treviso with a bonus point for scoring two tries, but nothing more.
Reactions & Reflections
The Glasgow official match report describes the result as:
“An 82nd‑minute drop‑goal snatched victory for Benetton in Treviso this evening, as Glasgow Warriors were edged out in a high‑tempo affair at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.”
Despite the defeat, there were notable positives. The team’s early dominance, the two tries, and defensive resolve under pressure all offered encouragement. But in tight contests like this, execution at the death proved decisive.
Meanwhile, Glasgow will now regroup ahead of their next fixture at Scotstoun, hosting Dragons next Saturday.
Side Note: Edinburgh’s Match Postponed
While Glasgow were battling it out in Italy, Edinburgh’s scheduled home fixture with Ulster was called off due to deteriorating weather conditions linked to Storm Amy.
The postponement followed a weather warning and safety concerns over high winds and heavy rainfall across Scotland.
The match will be rescheduled in consultation with URC, broadcasters, and both clubs.
