Connacht 14-27 EdinburghIt really was a game of two halves in Galway on Friday night as Edinburgh defeated Connacht with tries from Simon Webster, Chris Paterson and Mike Blair, although the home side made the men in Black and Red sweat with a late fightback.
Webster scored a slick try following enterprising play from Alan MacDonald. The openside flanker broke the line and off-loaded to Scott Newlands who proceeded to set up the attack.
Geoff Cross put in the hard yards and gained some valuable territorial advantage before the ball found Webster lurking with intent on the left wing and he dotted down underneath the posts inside the opening 10 minutes.
Connacht then enjoyed a greater share of possession, but some stout defending from Newlands, who was Edinburgh’s man of the match, halted them in their tracks.
Newlands carried the ball forward and won a penalty on the 19 minute mark inside the 22 and Paterson slotted over a straightforward kick.
A quick tap penalty from Mike Blair was followed by an incisive grubber through and Paterson showed off his football skills before touching down in the corner.
Paterson then resumed his kicking duties and sent a textbook penalty over to extend Edinburgh’s advantage to 20 points.
Blair then showed off his burgeoning credentials with a classic ‘show and go’ before sliding over the whitewash.
Paterson then added the extras with the final act of the first half to hand Edinburgh a 27-point lead at the interval.
After the break, Edinburgh survived a few scares before regaining their composure and implementing razor sharp backs moves.
But in a disjointed second half both sides struggled to put points on the scoreboard.
Connacht finally scored a consolation try when outside centre Gavin Duffy intercepted a try from Phil Godman’s pass.
Connacht then scored another breakaway try to set up a nerve-shredding finale at the Sportsground.
But Edinburgh clung to secure another much-needed away win and showed signs that collectively they are on the threshold of fulfilling their tremendous potential.
Edinburgh: Paterson, Robertson, Cairns, De Luca, Webster, Godman, M. Blair (captain); Jacobsen, Ford, G. Cross, Gissing, C. Hamilton, Newlands, MacDonald, Hogg. Replacements: Kelly, Kerr, Mustchin (for Hamilton), Rennie, Laidlaw, D. Blair, Houston (for Webster).