Edinburgh maintained their winning start to the URC season with a bonus-point victory against the Lions in wet conditions at Hive Stadium on Friday night.
Coach Sean Everitt’s side triumphed 31-10 to make it four wins from four, while the visitors suffered a second successive away defeat in the tournament after winning their opening two matches at home.
The Lions came into the match still mourning the loss of lock Hyron Andrews, who died the day before their Investec Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle in France last week. The Hive Stadium crowd paid tribute to the No 5 with a standing ovation in the fifth minute.
One minute of applause.
A lifetime of impact.
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Heavy rain made for a scrappy contest, with both teams putting plenty of boot to ball.
The Lions dominated territory and possession early on, but two lost lineouts – they would lose six in total – halted their momentum and Edinburgh soon gained the ascendancy.
Wing Duhan van der Merwe, making his first appearance of the season for the Scottish club after recovering from an ankle injury, beat several Lions defenders with his first touch but couldn’t find South African teammate Pierre Schoeman with his pass. However, Van der Merwe’s comeback was cut short when he left the field for an HIA and did not return.
Edinburgh opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Matt Currie burst down the left touchline and passed inside to scrumhalf Hector Patterson, who put the centre away in the corner.
Currie finishes what the team started
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Lions flyhalf Chris Smith’s penalty goal made it 5-3, but the visitors squandered a try-scoring opportunity from a 5m scrum just before the break when No 8 Francke Horne was stopped by determined defence and the ball was then knocked on.
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Edinburgh thought they had extended their lead just two minutes into the second half when Patterson put centre Mosese Tuipulotu over, but the TMO spotted a knock-on in the build-up.
There was no denying Tuipulotu soon afterwards, though, as Patterson again provided the final pass, this time following a lineout maul.
The hosts then scored a superb third try from a scrum inside their own half, with Patterson fittingly finishing off the move.
A stunner from Patterson! Someone call the authorities!
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Flyhalf James Grayson converted both tries to give Edinburgh a 19-3 lead.
The Lions briefly fought back through a try from flank Batho Hlekani, but Patterson responded with a five-pointer from a quick tap penalty to secure the bonus point for Edinburgh.
Chris Smith finds Bathobele Hlekani
The Lions get their first try of the match
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Wing Geordie Gwynn then sealed the win by darting over in the left corner.
The Lions remain in Scotland to face the Glasgow Warriors next Friday night, while Edinburgh travel to Treviso to take on Benetton.
EDINBURGH – Tries: Matt Currie, Mosese Tuipulotu, Hector Patterson (2), Geordie Gwynn. Conversions: James Grayson (2), Cammy Scott.
LIONS – Try: Batho Hlekani. Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalty: Smith.
Photo: @edinburghrugby/Instagram
The post Unbeaten Edinburgh take down Lions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Edinburgh maintained their winning start to the URC season with a bonus-point victory against the Lions in wet conditions at Hive Stadium on Friday night.
The post Unbeaten Edinburgh take down Lions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
