Centre makes his Mark with last-gasp try

MARK BENNETT sent Scotland boss Gregor Townsend a message as his last-ditch try sank European stars Leinster.

The centre failed to make the Dark Blues’ matchday 23 for tomorrow’s critical Six Nations clash with France.

But the 25-year-old, who made his comeback last month after a knee injury suffered in last year’s showpiece, powered over in the 79th minute to boost Edinburgh’s Pro14 play-off hopes.

And man of the match Lewis Carmichael insists the Gunners edging the nine-try tussle against the Conference B leaders came as no shock.

He said: “We knew if we kept the ball and used it properly we would come through in the end.

“It was tense in the closing minutes but we always had belief in what we were doing.

“Everyone played their part – it was a brilliant team effort.”

Leinster dominated the early exchanges at Myreside and it came as no surprise when they broke the deadlock with a try from breakaway forward Max Deegan goaled by Ross Byrne.

Edinburgh earned a penalty chance to repair part of the damage only for Jaco van der Walt to push his 40-metre kick wide. But they kept up the pressure and were rewarded when flanker Luke Crosbie scored after a chargedown as van der Walt equalised with the pinpoint conversion.

Even better arrived almost instantly as Bennett grabbed a turnover before Nathan Fowles finished in style.

Leinster’s response was potent, lock Scott Fardy going over before Byrne converted.

And the Dubliners capitalised on loose defending to add another through Barry Daly.

Still, the Gunners ended the half in powerful fashion to set up a great try for new Scotland cap Murray McCallum.

And Richard Cockerill’s side struck a massive blow on the hour thanks to winger Duhan van der Merwe’s top-notch try.

Deegan notched his double to restore Leinster’s lead but then came Bennett’s belter converted by Sam Hidalgo-Clyne as Edinburgh’s bonus-point victory ensured they remain on the coat-tails of third-placed Ulster.