Vicenza put Modena to the sword 55-12 in the Italian Cup on September 27th. By then the visitors had already made their statement, and the final score barely reflected the gulf between them. Modena, who'd been competitive in their recent fixtures, found themselves outclassed from the opening whistle.
The previous meeting between these sides in April ended 36-32, a tight affair where one side pulled ahead by a single try. This time the margin was different again, and that price has gone. Vicenza were better everywhere — in the set pieces, in the open play, in everything that matters on a rugby pitch.
Modena's recent run showed them on the right track, with wins against Emilia and Rugby Lions. But against a side like Vicenza, form means little when the gap in quality shows. They were left flat-footed, forced to chase shadows for most of the contest.
The visitors' last five matches tell their own story: victories against Rugby Lions, Modena, Biella, and Viadana, with only a narrow loss to Fiamme Oro. That consistency translated into a comprehensive victory on this occasion. They didn't travel to make up the numbers.
For Modena, the result means another heavy defeat to add to their record. Five points on the board, a goal difference that tells its own tale. The Italian Cup is cruel to teams that can't match the intensity of their opponents, and this was proof of that.
