Zebre off to winning start with 32-16 triumph over Southern Kings

Zebre 32 - 16 Southern Kings, Parma

Zebre kick-started their Pro14 campaign with a comfortable 32-16 bonus point victory over Southern Kings in Parma on Friday.

The result also means Southern Kings' struggle in the Pro14 continues after they managed a solitary win from 21 games in the previous season.

The win also puts Zebre at the top of Conference A and it was continuous pressure from them that got the first points on the board when hooker Oliviero Fabiani crossed over in the 5th minute allowing Carlo Canna to kick a conversion and a penalty to make it 10-0.

The response from Southern Kings came in the 15th minute with Michael Botha dotting down that was improved by Masixole Banda as the difference between the two teams came down to three points.

As the half-time was approaching, Zebre managed to get their second over the line with Mattia Bellini strolling past the line and once again Canna was spot on with the conversion as the teams went into the break with a 17-7 scoreline.

A double penalty kick from Banda at the start of the second half kept the visitors in the game as they reduced the trail to four points but the home side were unwilling to relent as they soon found their third try coming from Tuivaiti to get a comfortable 11 point lead.

After Banda and Canna traded penalty kicks, Zebre maintained their 11-point lead and any chance of a comeback from the South African side was put off by sin-bins to Andisa Ntsila and Bobby de Wee in the 71st and 79th minute.

With the numerical advantage on his side, Apisai Tauyavuca capped off a fantastic game for Zebre and a bonus point to go with it following the final try in the closing stage to seal 32-16 victory.