Leicester Tigers powered to a 46-11 bonus-point victory over Viadana in Pool Three of the Heineken Cup.

A hat-trick from Scott Hamilton as well as tries for Johne Murphy, Tom Croft, Lucas Amorosino and a penalty try handed Tigers a safe passage in Northern Italy.

Tigers broke the deadlock through Jeremy Staunton's close-range penalty in the fifth minute.

The visitors began brightly and wing Murphy touched down for his second try in the competition in successive weeks in the 10th minute.

Scrum-half James Grindal combined with Staunton and Hamilton to allow the winger a score in the right corner.

But the Italians, buoyed by the passionate home faithful, began to make a fist of the contest.

New Zealand-born Kaine Robertson showed glimpses of his ability on the right wing in front of watching Italy head coach Nick Mallett in the stands.

Pierre Hola finally got the home side on to the scoreboard with a penalty and the deficit could have been reduced even further but full-back Garry Law dragged his long-range attempt to the right side of the posts before Hola saw an ambitious drop-goal attempt fly wide.

Viadana levelled the scores in the 26th minute.

Hola's cross-kick allowed Robertson to beat Amorosino to the high ball and, after waltzing past Hamilton, the Italian star touched down to scenes of wild jubilation among the home crowd before Hola converted.

But Tigers hit back almost immediately through Hamilton.

Grindal fended off the tackle of prop Miguel Alonso and Amorosino's inside pass allowed Hamilton to coast home for a converted try by Staunton under the posts.

It was an emphatic response from Tigers as British Lion Tom Croft added the third on 36 minutes by shrugging off the challenge of three defenders to touch down.

Hola made no mistake with a penalty after 53 minutes.

Then, Crane was yellow carded for tackling without the ball to set up a nervy final quarter.

But it did not matter as Tigers eased home to increase the margin through late scores from Hamilton, Amorosino and a late penalty try.