Hero Weir seals dramatic Belfast win for Edinburgh

ULSTER 16 EDINBURGH 17

Duncan Weir was the Edinburgh hero as they pulled off a remarkable Pro14 triumph in Belfast last night.

The Scotland playmaker was recalled from his loan spell with Worcester to help the Edinburgh injury crisis – and he responded by firing over the winning drop goal in stoppage-time.

It propelled Richard Cockerill’s side above Ulster into third place in Conference B, giving them a vital edge in the race for the play-offs.

The hosts were the hungrier looking outfit during the scrappy opening sparring session and their attacking intent was rewarded with a try in the ninth minute.

They moved the ball slickly along the backline to stretch the Edinburgh markers. Scrum-half Cooney was left with a clear passage to the line before adding the extras.

Ulster continued to earn the bulk of possession and territory but it was Edinburgh No 8 Bill Mata who came close to scoring when he powered his way to within a metre of the line only to be bundled out of play.

There was even more frustration for Mata on the half-hour mark when he looked certain to score under the crossbar but lost grip of the ball just inches above the turf. Referee Nigel Owens originally awarded the try but chalked it off after the TV replay.

Edinburgh shrugged off the disappointment to create a great score. Sam Hidalgo-clyne sent a perfectlyweighted grubber for winger Jason Harries to win the race. Hidalgo-clyne converted from an awkward angle.

Cooney edged Ulster back in front with a penalty just after the restart but Edinburgh stepped up the pace and snatched another touchdown to pave the way for a tense finale. Hidalgo-clyne was again the creator, sending Lewis Carmichael galloping over.

Hidalgo-clyne followed up with the pinpoint kick.

A Cooney strike put the hosts back in front when it mattered, only for Weir’s wonder strike to clinch a sensational victory.

Duncan Weir scored winning drop goal in stoppage-time.