Missed opportunities were ultimately Edinburgh Rugby’s undoing in the opening match of the RaboDirect PRO12 at Murrayfield tonight (15-38).
In the first half both sides showcased moments of brilliance, Phil Godman’s link play, Tim Visser’s line breaks and David Denton’s power making the most inroads for the hosts.
But, despite making decisive moves into Cardiff territory, several opportunities went begging and allowed Cardiff to get their nose in front before the break.
A try from Cardiff prop Sam Hobbs was the difference in a half that saw three penalties a piece from Edinburgh captain Greig Laidlaw and Cardiff stand-off Ceri Sweeney.
HALF TIME: 9-14
Edinburgh started the second half brightly and quickly got into ascendancy, shrugging off a missed Laidlaw penalty and returning to slice away at the Cardiff rear guard.
Visser made a telling breakthrough on the nearside touchline and sent the ball back inside to debutant lock Grant Gilchrist to score however it was pulled back after the Dutchman’s foot was adjudged to have strayed into touch.
Edinburgh’s dominance continued, forcing the Welshmen to kill the ball on consecutive occasions, both times allowing Laidlaw to take the points and, for the first time in the match, a deserved lead (15-14).
Disappointingly, while this seemed like a turning point in Edinburgh’s favour, it was, in fact, the opposite.
Just moments after their celebrations had finished, Cardiff man of the match, Andries Pretorious, captialised on a dominant restart and dove over for the score.
Sweeney added the extras and Edinburgh were stunned (15-21).
The stand-off then booted a penalty through the sticks to break the crucial seven point scoring gap before converting a second Hobbs score and a late try from winger Thomas James to secure the bonus point win.
FULL TIME: 15-38
Edinburgh Rugby team: Jim Thompson; Lee Jones, Simon Webster, Matt Scott, Tim Visser; Phil Godman, Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN; Kyle Traynor, Steven Lawrie, Lewis Niven, Grant Gilchrist, Steven Turnbull, Sean Cox, Roddy Grant, David Denton
Substitutes: Andrew Kelly, Robin Hislop on for Traynor, Jack Gilding on for Niven, Esteban Lozada on for Gilchrist, Hamish Watson on for Denton, Chris Leck on for Houston, Gregor Hunter on for Godman, John Houston on for Jones
Cardiff Blues team: Chris Czekaj; Richard Mustoe, Casey Laulala, Gavin Evans, James Thomas; Ceri Sweeney, Richie Rees; Sam Hobbs, Rhys Thomas, Scott Andrews, Deiniol, James Down, Michael Paterson, Martyn Williams, Andries Pretorius
Substitutes: Rhys Williams, Nathan Trevett on for Hobbs, Ryan Harford, Paul Tito on for Jones, Ma’ama Molitika on for Down, Lewis Jones on for Rees, Gareth Davies, Dafydd Hewitt on for Evans
Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
