Guinness PRO12
Connacht rout Treviso to boost European hopes
ESPN Staff
March 1, 2015

Connacht gave their bid to finish in the top half of the Guinness PRO12 a big lift with a 53-5 bonus-point win over Benetton Treviso.

The home side were full of early running against a stiff Sportsground wind, a fifth-minute effort from the returning Tiernan O'Halloran helping them on their way to a 13-5 half-time lead.

Treviso centre Sam Christie struck for a try before the break, but Pat Lam's men had the bonus point in the bag by the 54th minute thanks to successive scores from Jake Heenan, Matt Healy and Denis Buckley.

Man-of-the-match Craig Ronaldson was near faultless off the kicking tee, pocketing 18 points from nine attempts, with Aly Muldowney, Healy and Danie Poolman completing the seven-try rout. The result moved the Irish province six points clear of the seventh-placed Scarlets, as the battle for European Champions Cup qualification intensifies.

Cardiff Blues showed improved form to collect a much-needed 21-15 win over Edinburgh at the Arms Park.

It was a welcome boost for Blues after the recent departure of director of rugby Mark Hammett, with former Pontypridd stars Paul John and Dale McIntosh left temporarily in charge.

The creativity of Cardiff backs Lloyd Williams and Cory Allen stood out as Blues scored tries through Williams, Ellis Jenkins, and Rhys Patchell, who also coverted all three scores.

Tim Visser and Roddy Grant touched down for Edinburgh, with Tom Heathcote converting one and adding a penalty, but their second-half rally came up just short.

Italian side Zebre recorded their first-ever victory over the Newport-Gwent Dragons with a 23-17 success at the Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma.

Mirco Bergamasco kicked 13 points as Zebre claimed only their third league win of the season - and first since November - following home victories over Ulster and Edinburgh.

Zebre, however, stay bottom of the table, closing the gap on fellow Italians Benetton Treviso to four points while the Dragons are nine points better off.

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