It needed a late try from Mike McCarthy to finally see of the Italian new boys, playing their first home match since joining the RaboDirect PRO12.
And with the searing heat, as well as playing against a hugely experienced Zebre team, Elwood insisted he could not have been happier.
He said: "It took a massive effort last weekend - the travel, the heat, and playing against an Italian side with some 400 caps in their first home match.
"The lads showed huge character, particularly when we were forced into making so many changes in the second half. Now they will have to step it up again against the Scarlets who are riding high after their first two games.
"Every game for us is tough, but the lads are fronting up week-in week-out. If you take into consideration the travel, the heat last weekend, the hard ground which was a huge transition from the conditions they had played in the previous week, the injuries in the second half, I believe the lads adapted brilliantly."
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