No singing in the rain for Gunners

TREVISO 18 EDINBURGH 16

Gunners suffered a major PRO14 setback as they slithered to defeat in rain-lashed Treviso.

The hosts cashed in on Edinburgh’s mistakes when it mattered and deserved their success in an untidy tussle.

Jaco van der Walt (right) had two late opportunities to snatch the glory for Richard Cockerill’s troops.

But he pushed them both wide in the wretched conditions.

The hosts had raced off to the perfect start as Jayden Hayward timed his run beautifully to win the race to a lob into the try zone.

Former Scotland age-group star Tommy Allan slotted the simple conversion.

Edinburgh wasted no time in repairing some of the damage with Van der Walt banging over a penalty from 45 metres.

But Allan followed suit to restore his side’s advantage.

Gunners burst into life in the 18th minute when a powerful Mark Bennett charge paved the way for a Luke Crosbie try – goaled by Van der Walt.

However, they were reduced to 14 men in the build-up to the interval as prop Jamie Bhatti was yellow-carded for a blatant off-the-ball challenge.

Treviso cashed in quickly by creating a score for Tomas Baravalle, only for Van der Walt to claw back three points in stoppage time.

The stand-off repeated the feat five minutes after the restart to edge Edinburgh in front for the first time.

But the see-saw action continued with Allan finding the target at the other end midway through the half.

Allan then pinned back the Gunners with a series of pinpoint positional kicks.

The tension level mounted as Van der Walt sent his next penalty wide of the near post.

And just three minutes from time he suffered the same fate from a tricky angle.