Treviso dent Dragons' European push

Benetton Treviso beat Newport Gwent Dragons 45-27 to severely dent the latter's chances of qualifying for top-flight European competition next season.

Mat Berquist kicked 20 points for the Italians as Ludovico Nitoglia, Luke McLean, Michele Campagnaro, Manoa Vosawai and Matteo Muccignat scored tries to set up their fifth RaboDirect Pro12 win of the season, albeit one that still leaves them second from bottom.

Matthew Screech, Ross Wardle and Cory Hill scored for the Dragons with Jason Tovey landing two penalties.

Dragons, who could qualify for Europe next season as part of the new agreement confirmed this week, made a good start and were 6-3 up thanks to Tovey's brace of penalties either side of two Berquist efforts.

Treviso then took control with Nitoglia crossing and Berquist landing three more penalties to lift them to a 19-6 lead at the break.

McLean and Campagnaro crossed early in the second half to strengthen Treviso's position and although Screech replied for the Dragons, the next score, courtesy of Vosawai, put the game beyond them.

Wardle and Hill touched down for the Welsh side either side of Muccignat's score for Treviso as the Dragons missed out on a bonus point and remain in 10th place - one place and two points ahead of Treviso.