| Zebre (15) 30 |
| Tries: Gesi, Krumov, Trulla, Kvesic Cons: Prisciantelli 2 Pens: Prisciantelli 2 |
| Cardiff (17) 34 |
| Tries: Botham 2, Grady, Belcher Cons: Priestland 4 Pens: Priestland, Evans |
Cardiff held out for a nail-biting win at Zebre to keep their play-off hopes alive in the United Rugby Championship.
James Botham marked his return with two tries from lineout drives as Cardiff’s pack dominated early on.
Hooker Liam Belcher and Mason Grady followed in the second half to lead 34-18 in Parma.
But Shane Lewis-Hughes was shown a late yellow card as Zebre rallied with two late to come agonisingly close to first win of the season.
Cardiff’s director of rugby Dai Young said this was a “must-win” game if they are to have any chance of breaking into the top eight in the final weeks.
And their late defensive stand with 14 men kept their league season alive.
The bonus-point win takes them level with eighth placed Connacht, who play Edinburgh on Saturday.
More follows
Zebre: Richard Kriel; Kobus Van Wyk, Erich Cronje, Enrico Lucchin, Simone Gesi; Geronimo Prisciantelli, Chris Cook; Paolo Buonfiglio, Jacques Du Toit, Muhamed Hasa, Jan Uys, Leonardo Krumov, Luca Andreani, Jacopo Bianchi, Giovani Licata.
Replacements: Giampietro Ribaldi, Luca Rizzoli, Riccardo Genovese, Dave Sisi, Matt Kvesic, Alessandro Fusco, Nicolo Teneggi, Jacopo Trulla.
Cardiff: Ben Thomas; Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Jason Harries; Rhys Priestland, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Josh Turnbull (capt.), Teddy Williams, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, James Ratti
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Thomas Young, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Matthew Morgan
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Assistant referees: Riccardo Angelucci & Matteo Locatelli (FIR)
TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)
