Edinburgh edge past Scarlets
Edinburgh remain on course for a top four Magners League finish after seeing off Scarlets with a patchy display at Murrayfield.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 27/03/10 1:26am
Edinburgh remain on course for a top four Magners League finish after seeing off Scarlets 24-20 with a patchy display at Murrayfield.
The Scottish side showed glimpses of their best form, with quality offloads and line breaks as well as two thrilling tries.
But they were poor on other occasions, allowing silly penalties to slip by them and failing to protect the ball. The Scarlets, in contrast, looked determined from the off, forcing a five metre line-out followed by a scrum.
A ruck developed under the Edinburgh posts soon after and Rhys Priestland kicked a fourth-minute penalty for the visitors after the home side's number eight Roddy Grant tried to kick the ball free.
Centre Simon Webster, making his second start of the season, was prominent for Edinburgh in the 12th minute following good work by Mark Robertson, getting the ball into Scarlets' 22.
And when the visitors went offside Phil Godman booted the resulting penalty to even the scoreboard.
Tim Visser and Ross Rennie then led Edinburgh's attack down the other wing, resulting in another penalty which sailed over to put the hosts ahead after 14 minutes.
Advantage extended
Grant extended that advantage in the 27th minute with the first try of the game, seizing the ball well outside the visitors' 22 but dodging their defence to cross over under the bar, with Godman converting.
Scarlets were quick to respond, however, with neat handling from Priestland and David Lyons sending Phil Johns over, while Priestland added the extras.
Robertson and Jim Thompson made crucial mistakes for Edinburgh to allow the visitors to stay on the attack, but it was the home side that were 13-10 ahead at the break.
The restart saw an immediate try for the hosts as Mike Blair broke through at halfway and fed the ball left to Visser who touched down, but Godman failed to convert.
Priestland and Godman went on to exchange penalties before a Scarlets' error proved fruitful for the home side as replacement hooker Matt Rees powered down and seized Blair's clearing kick but put a foot in touch to 'score' from seven metres.
Edinburgh seemed to be pulling clear as a drop goal from Godman on 60 minutes widened their lead, but Scarlets soon put a stop to that as left winger Andy Fenby went over for their second try, converted by Dan Newton.
Fenby's effort put Scarlets just four points behind and Edinburgh endured an anxious final 10 minutes but managed to cling onto their win.
