Edinburgh do the double over the Quins
GRITTY Gunners completed a Challenge Cup double over star-studded Quins yesterday to take a giant stride towards a quarter-final slot.
Now they turn their focus to Friday’s Myreside clash with Romanian minnows Timisoara Saracens, knowing another win would probably clinch a home-turf tie.
It was a solid and well-merited success for Duncan Hodge’s troops as they carved out two top-notch touchdowns, with Duncan Weir claiming their other points with the boot.
Edinburgh had made a positive start by launching a series of raids into enemy territory.
They were rewarded when Weir confidently slotted a penalty from 40 metres following illegal work at the breakdown.
The lead lasted only two minutes, however, with Tim Swiel levelling from close.
Quins threatened again with a penalty lineout, but Weir relieved the pressure with a massive clearance.
Long-range specialist Blair Kinghorn then teed up a pot at goal from his own half. He struck it crisply, but the ball drifted just wide.
Gunners kept up the momentum to create an excellent try in the 25th minute.
Lock Fraser McKenzie timed his angled run to perfection, slicing through the home defensive line with power and precision.
Weir added the extras to provide a further boost.
There was a setback, however, as Scotland prop Willem Nel – making his return from long-term injury – was forced off for a concussion check.
Weir returned to the spotlight with another penalty on the half-hour mark, when England full-back Mike Brown was guilty of failing to release the ball in contact – only to see Swiel find the target at the other end almost immediately.
Swiel was handed another opportunity in stoppage time, but was wayward this time.
Quins raced out of the traps after the restart and only fine defensive work from Weir and Sean Kennedy stemmed the tide.
Having weathered the mini-storm, Gunners replied in potent fashion.
The strung together a series of phases and handling moves which created the space and time for sub Allan Dell to gleefully gallop over.
Weir’s kick was spot-on as the gap stretched to 14 points going into the final quarter.
And the playmaker made sure of the win by taking his penalty tally to three.
However, the home brigade snatched two late scores through Joe Gray to salvage a consolation point.