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Benetton maintain unbeaten start to season with victory over Lions

By PA
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 01: Malakai Fekitoa of Tonga looks on during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Tonga at Stade Velodrome on October 1, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Benetton maintained their unbeaten start to the BKT United Rugby Championship with a hard-fought 15-10 home victory over the Emirates Lions.

Tries from Malakai Fekitoa – the first for the former New Zealand and current Tonga international in Benetton colours – and Ignacio Mendy saw the Italians edge home at the Stadio Monigo.

Jordan Hendrikse kicked a penalty and Sanele Nohamba converted replacement prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s second-half try to level the scores at 10-10 in the final quarter.

But Jacob Umaga’s floated pass allowed Mendy to make the corner nine minutes from time, allowing Benetton to build on their opening-day win at Cardiff and draw with Munster.