Perpignan were given an almighty scare before ultimately cruising to a bonus point-clinching 35-14 victory over Treviso at the Stade Aime Giral on Sunday afternoon.
Stunned by the Scarlets in Llanelli in round one, Perpignan went into this Heineken Cup Pool 5 clash in dire need of a victory to kick-start their European campaign. However, despite registering an early try through Jerome Porical, the Catalans found themselves 14-7 down shortly after half-time following tries either side of the interval from Treviso centre Tommaso Benvenuti.
However, Perpignan finally clicked into gear in the closing half hour, eventually breaking Treviso's game resistance with tries from Gavin Hume, Gerrie Britz and Damien Chouly, while also forcing their Italian visitors into the concession of a penalty try.
Perpignan started brightly in Catalonia, with Porical bursting through to score in the corner after just 11 minutes of play. The prolific fullback then converted his own try to put seven points between the sides and, at that early stage, a rout looked a distinct possibility.
However, Treviso, who are more noted for their home form, dug in thereafter, frustrating their hosts with some heroic and disciplined defensive work before silencing the Aime Giral with a try of their own through Benvenuti just five minutes before the break.
The Magners League newcomers struck again lesson than 60 seconds into the second half, with Benvenuti again on hand to score a try which was promptly converted by scrum-half Tobie Botes. Perpignan appeared in real danger of being upset by Treviso for the second successive season, following their defeat at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo last year.
However, Porical restored parity when he converted Hume's 56th-minute try and Perpignan reclaimed the lead shortly after the hour when they forced a penalty try. Treviso then faded badly in the closing stages, coughing up further tries to Britz and Chouly as Perpignan eventually ran out easy winners.