McInally’s so relieved as the Gunners hold off Italians

BY DAVID KELSO EDINBURGH skipper Stuart McInally admitted his side squeezed out of jail as they just held off a Treviso fightback.

The Gunners had looked home and dry as they opened up a 16-point lead with 30 minutes left.

But a three-try volley left them clinging on for an Pro14 triumph.

And McInally said: “We scored some pretty good tries and any win is welcome but our defence was poor.

“We’ll take a victory any time. However, we have played much better than this and lost. So we have a lot to work on.”

The Italians edged in front with a penalty by former Scotland age-group star Tommy Allan.

And his strike sparked Edinburgh into mounting a series of raids which paved the way for a levelling effort for Simon Hickey.

They kept up the momentum and Matt Scott charged over to give Hickey an easy conversion.

Winger Duhan van der Merwe then cruised in for No.2 midway through the half, with Hickey suddenly opening up a 14-point gap.

Treviso shook off the double setback to create a brilliant touchdown for Luca Sperandio.

The Italians were rocked just before the break when Blair Kinghorn dashed in for the Gunners – Hickey again finding the target.

Back came Treviso in stoppage time with the pack driving Traore Cherif over and Allan converting.

Dougie Fife collected the