Sunday Mail (UK)

No Bull.. it’s a joy to watch

Blair hails side’s spirits in the rain

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Mike Blair admits his Edinburgh side had him revelling in the rain after finding a way to win ugly.

The home side rode their luck as Madosh Tambwe’s late Bulls try was chalked off for a double movement.

But they did just enough to bounce back after last week’s frustratin­g home draw with the Stormers.

Head coach Blair said: “We’ve talked a fair bit about how we manage the end of the game and still didn’t get it quite right.

“But what I said to the guys was I hate watching games in the rain, I think they are a poor spectacle. But I loved that game.

“I loved the heart we showed and the will to put the effort in for the jersey. We ended up with players out of position all over the

David Barnes at DAM Health Stadium place, with two forwards their sharp shooting No.10 defending in the backs and to a shoulder problem on found a way to get a result. the stroke of half- time, I am delighted with that.” with James Lang – who

Edinburgh led through had taken over from van an unconverte­d try by fullder Walt at stand-off slot back Henry Immelman – also picking up an injury after a clever kick ahead in the second half. by Damien Hoyland. When Marcell Coetzee

And it was 14-3 by the muscled over for a try with break after Jaco van der 10 minutes left and Morne Walt pounced on Bulls’ Steyn converted, it was a indiscipli­ne to slot three four-point game. B u t penalties.nalties. But they then Mark lost t

Bennett slotted a penalty for a seven-point cushion.

Tambwe’s late effort had home hearts in mouths as a Steyn conversion would have squared the match with just five minutes left.

But ref Ben Whitehouse decided to take a second look on the big screen.

Edinburgh held on with a heroic late tackle from Darcy Graham halting an attack in the final play.

Blair added: “It was a fairly clear and obvious double movement.

“You need to get these decisions sometimes.

“Against Benetton we didn’t get any decisions in the last five minutes. And against the Stormers they got the benefit of the doubt three or four times, so these things happen. Let’s reflect on the big strides we’ve made to see out that game.”

 ?? ?? Immelman ME
TRY
STOPPING
Immelman ME TRY STOPPING
 ?? ?? MAKING A RACKET Blair (top) laps up win as Graham (main) and Co hold out
MAKING A RACKET Blair (top) laps up win as Graham (main) and Co hold out

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