UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Leighton Koopman|Published
Edinburgh proved too strong for the Lions in the second half, scoring four tries after the break to secure a 31-10 victory in wet conditions at Hive Stadium on Friday evening in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
After a fighting display in the first 40 minutes, when they trailed 5-3 at half-time, the visitors lost their way in the second half, allowing their hosts to run in four tries and secure a bonus-point victory in Scotland.
It was a story of some good attacking play and strong defence, but also a game plan that simply failed to come together in the tough conditions for the South Africans. Small errors, including knock-ons, soft penalties conceded and a handful of missed tackles, allowed the home side to take control and claim the bonus-point win.
A couple of crucial moments, especially missed lineout throws, allowed Edinburgh to gain the upper hand in the second half, and the Lions could not recover. Their inability to secure possession from their own throws severely hampered their performance.
Edinburgh scrumhalf Hector Patterson scored twice, while wingers Matt Currie and Geordie Gwynn each crossed for brilliant tries out wide that caught the Lions’ rush defence out. Inside centre Mosese Tuipulotu also scored in the second half, bursting through three tacklers after a strong rolling maul, minutes after a try of his had initially been chalked off because of a knock-on in the build-up.
There were some good moments from the Lions, but simply not enough to cause an upset in the rain. They had the opportunity to take the lead via a penalty in front of the posts shortly before half-time.
After kicking their first penalty goal shortly after the half-hour mark, it was a little mind-boggling that they opted for a scrum after being awarded a penalty five metres from the Edinburgh try line, following some good work by outside centre Henco van Wyk in chasing a kick through.
However, after winning the scrum, the Lions knocked the ball on, allowing Edinburgh to carry it over the dead-ball line and take a narrow lead into the break.
That decision could have given the visitors some momentum going into the second half. Instead, the home side went into the sheds with their tails up and, shortly after the restart, crossed for the first of four tries that took the contest away from the Lions.
Edinburgh were full value for their victory, and their supporters showed a touch of class by applauding for a minute after five minutes of play to honour the memory of former Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who tragically passed away last week.
While the scoreline does not show it, there was plenty of fight from the visitors. Now, the Johannesburg side have one more match, against Glasgow Warriors next weekend, to salvage a victory on their first tour of the new season.
Points scorers
Edinburgh 31 (5): Tries: Matt Currie, Mosese Tuipulotu, Hector Patterson (2), Geordie Gwynn. Conversions: James Grayson (2), Cammy Scott. Lions 10 (3): Try: Batho Hlekani. Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalty: Smith.
- The Sharks, meanwhile, ran in six tries to crush Cardiff 36-21 in their URC clash in the Welsh capital to remain unbeaten on their tour.