GUNNERS GO TRY KRAS-Y
RoDDY GRANT watched Edinburgh pile up a dozen tries – but insisted it was even more pleasing Krasny Yar got none.
The Gunners demolished their Russian visitors with a clinical display at Murrayfield that took them to within touching distance of a home quarter-final in the Challenge Cup.
South African winger Duhan van der Merwe grabbed two as Edinburgh piled up 12 tries without reply in a club record victory.
And they’ll now turn their focus to the festive tussle with Glasgow at the same venue.
Gunners assistant Grant said: “We let them get a couple of scores a few weeks ago in Russia which was frustrating.
“So to blank them out here was important. It was great to get the five points to take us so close to the quarter-finals.
“But first we have Glasgow twice over the festive season. This result will have no bearing on the derbies. They stand on their own and form means nothing.”
It took the hosts just 60 seconds to break the deadlock. A simple passing move created the space for van der Merwe to cruise through and Blair Kinghorn added the extras.
The defence of the visitors was frail again when Chris Dean powered through a massive gap following a feed from Sean Kennedy.
Krasny suffered a further setback as flanker Viktor Arhip was yellowcarded for a professional foul – and within seconds Lewis Carmichael was driving over for No.3.
Jamie Ritchie bagged the fourth midway through the half, Kinghorn preserving his 100 per cent record with the boot to stretch the gap to 28 points.
Kinghorn then goaled his own effort from 50 metres before Kennedy got his name on the scoresheet.
Gunners kept up the momentum in the approach to the break and hooker Neil Cochrane surged over for No.7.
Boss Richard Cockerill made a spate of bench changes at the restart and the trend continued as Darcy Graham brought up the half century.
Hoyland then completed his double after Krasny’s best spell of the match and Junior Rasolea took the touchdown tally into double figures.
Even debutant Cammy Fenton got in on the act in the 70th minute – leaving time for van der Merwe to pounce for his second try.