Agen resist Benetton Treviso in 20-19 win

Agen 20-19 Benetton Treviso, Stade Armandie
Scorecard

Agen bounced back from their defeat in the opening round with a 20-19 win over Benetton Treviso in their European Rugby Challenge Cup encounter at Stade Armandie on Friday.

Agen now are positioned third in Pool 5 and despite the defeat Benetton is at the top of the table.

Hooker Luca Bigi got Benetton off to a terrific start with back to back tries in the fifth and 15th minute and Tommaso Allan slotted the extras on the second occasion to take them to a 0-12 lead.

Agen reduced the deficit when Antoine Miquel crossed over at the half-hour mark and Jake McIntyre followed it with a conversion and a penalty as the teams headed into the break with a 10-12 scoreline.

Fijian Ratuya Tavuyara allowed Benetton to stretch their lead further with his team's third try that came in the 45th minute that was improved by Italian international Allan. However, the momentum once again swung towards the host with McIntyre reducing the arrears to six points with a penalty kick in the 49th minute.

Replacement Yoan Tanga got the home side back into the game when he strolled over the line in the 53rd minute and the Agen fly-half with his conversion managed to take the scoreline to 20-19.

Benetton fly-half Allan had a chance to snatch the victory but his penalty kick went wide of the post as Agen completed a one-point victory.

Agen will face Grenoble in the next round on 7th December while Benetton will host Harlequins on 8th December.