Heriot’s impress in Italy despite losing first leg

Italy Emerging proved too strong for Heriot’s as they recorded a 50-33 victory over the BT Premiership defending champions during the first leg of the Italian-Scottish Challenge in Biella on Friday night. The Italian side, made up of players from Italy’s domestic competition, the National Championship (Eccellenza), took an early lead through captain Simone Marinaro in the ninth minute with a conversion added by Maicol Azzolini. A further two tries courtesy of Samuele Ortis and Marinaro, converted by Azzolini, pushed the home side into a 19-0 lead after 21 minutes as Heriot’s attempted to influence the match. On the 30-minute mark, the Scottish visitors broke through the Italian defence with winger John Rae touching down, minutes before Struan Dewar barged his way over and Alex Hagart added the extras.Italy Emerging responded with a penalty from Azzolini to settle the half-time score in favour of the hosts (22-12).After the interval, the Italians put the pressure on through the forwards and managed to bag the first score through flanker Andrea Trotta. Azzolini slotted the conversion.Russell Nimmo crashed over for his side’s second try of the match in the 50th minute as Hagart added the conversion to keep Heriot’s within distance of the opposition. However, Italy Emerging continued to respond when Heriot’s looked to have gained control. Sebastian Luke Negri Da Oleggio went over in the 54th minute and Azzolini converted to send the Italians into a comfortable lead.Replacement Davide Fragnito capitalised on sustained periods of possession for the hosts to score as Azzolini once again, slotted the ball through the sticks.Despite the wave of Italian pressure, Heriot’s managed to gain territory in the closing stages and claimed two tries in between a score from Italian replacement Alberto Chillon, converted by Paolo Pescetto.Out-half Hagart secured the first after breaking through midfield and the second came courtesy of powerhouse George Turner to round-up five tries for Heriot’s with Hagart converting both final scores.Heriot’s will now host Italy Emerging in the return leg at Goldenacre on Saturday 19 November (kick-off 2.15pm). Tickets:£10 entry,£5 concessions. Saturday will be a massive day in the Goldenacre calendar with the Annual Ladies Lunch already a complete sell out, the Italians coming to town for the return leg of the Italy Emerging fixture, as well as the internationals on the big screen. Heriot’s are encouraging all rugby supporters to come along to see the next generation of Italian internationalists before heading to BT Murrayfield for the Scotland v Argentina game (kick-off 5pm). Italy Emerging: Luca Sperandio; Simone Rossi, Enrico Bacchin, Marco Susio; Maicol Azzolini, Simone Marinaro CAPTAIN; Niccolo Zago, Adriano Daniele, Roberto Tenga, Samuele Ortis, Leonard Krumov, Matteo Corazzi, Andrea Trotta, Sebastien Luke Negri Da Oleggio. Replacements: Alexandre Marius Luus, Tommaso Bergonzini, George Iacobs, Davide Fragnito, Alberto Chillon, Paolo Pescetto, Matteo Gabbianelli, Andrea Grigolon. Heriot’s: Charlie Simpson; John Rae, Liam Steele, John Semple, Gavin Parker; Alex Hagart, Andrew Simmers; Gavin Cameron, George Turner, Ruaridh Mitchell, Clarke Smith, Russell Nimmo, Michael Maltman, Jack McLean, Struan Dewar. Replacements: Michael Liness, Stewart Mustrad, Martin Bouab, Lloyd Clarke, Tom Wilson, Harry Boisseau, John Laird, Rory Carmichael CAPTAIN. Referee: Matteo Liperini (FIR) Image: Roy Smith