LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Italy held its own for a half, but suffered in the second half from the superiority of England, which won at Twickenham for the fourth day of the Six Nations thanks to a net 47-24.
The hosts took only four minutes to sign the first goal. Varney lost a bad ball and the opponents found space out wide before going on to score with Willis, then finding Fin Smith’s conversion to make it 7-0. The Azzurri did not break down and ten minutes later tied the score. Ioane entered the 22 meters and made a perfect kick for Capuozzo, who collected and smashed in the goal. Garbisi’s conversion brings the score to 7-7. At 23′, Garbisi misses a seemingly easy square for a possible lead. The Britons press again and at 27′ seal the second goal thanks to Freeman, well assisted on the foot by Daly. Fin Smith converts for the +7. Lamaro and his teammates are not up for it and, on 31′, Capuozzo makes a lone initiative from his own half, breaks a tackle line and, in the continuation of the action, the ball comes to Vintcent who runs in for the goal.
Garbisi hits the posts and the score is tied again. The 14-14 lead is short-lived as Sleightholme puts his side back ahead at the end of a furious play by the boys in white jerseys. Fin Smith is perfect from the square and brings his side up 21-14. The guests answer blow by blow and at 37′ earn a free kick from a close, central position, which Garbisi takes advantage of to bring his men to -4. They go to rest on 21-17. Early in the second half, the Italians get back into the opponents’ 22, but commit a foul when clearing the ball and thwart a good opportunity. The Borthwick-led formation soon poured into the rival half of the field and found the fourth goal with Marcus Smith, then converted by the infallible Fin Smith. For Quesada’s men it was a shock start to the second half and on 7′ came another opposing goal with Curry, making it 35-17. Closing the score was Sleightholme, who on 13′ sealed his personal double at the end of a splendid hand play.
The English lowered the pace and controlled the match until 31′, when Menoncello signed the flag marking by rewarding at best an earlier individual action by Zuliani. Garbisi converts for 42-24. In the midst of recovery, the guests lose a bloody ball and Earl goes for the goal, this time unconverted, which fixes the score at 47-24 final. In the standings, the Azzurri remain in second-to-last position with four points, one length ahead of Wales. They will close out their Six Nations next Saturday when defending champions Ireland appear at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
-Photo Ipa/Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
