Euro heartache for the Gunners as they are hit by Bordeaux’s quick one-two
BORDEAUX 23 EDINBURGH 14 Edinburgh’s cross-channel glory quest was yesterday shattered in heartbreaking fashion.
The injury-ravaged Gunners battled back from a nightmare start to go agonisingly close to clinching a shock place in the Challenge Cup semis.
But despite producing one of their most-gritty and gutsy displays in Europe, they couldn’t make the crucial breakthrough when it mattered most.
Richard Cockerill’s troops had looked destined to be on the receiving end of a hammering when the hosts snatched two tries in the first eight minutes.
But they shrugged off the double blow to set up a dramatic finale.
And it was only a stoppagetime penalty that made sure for Bordeaux, who now take on Bristol Bears.
It had taken the French side less than four minutes to surge ahead.
A promising Gunners raid was not only halted, but the ball was stripped in the tackle on Jimmy Johnstone and shipped to winger Santiago Cordero
The Argentine speed merchant streaked to the line from inside his own half, with Mathieu Jalibert adding the conversion.
To add to the early woes of the visitors, Jaco van der Walt fluffed an easy penalty – then Charlie Shiel spilled a simple catch.
The mistake was instantly punished as centre JeanBaptiste Dubie powered over to give Jalibert a formality of a kick, which opened up an ominous 14-point gap.
There was a slight reprieve when Jalibert sent a long range strike wide of the far post. But the pressure on Edinburgh continued in relentless fashion in the baking 28-degree heat.
Only a brave last-gasp challenge by Bill Mata prevented All Blacks Sevens hero Ben Lam from adding a third touchdown after he had galloped 60 metres.
Gunners retrieved some hope on the half-hour mark when Van der Walt found the target with his next penalty bid.
However, they sustained another huge setback in the build-up to the interval as the influential Mata was taken off with a thigh problem and replaced by Nick Haining.
Somehow they managed to make it to the midway point without leaking any more points.
The opening exchanges of the second half were untidy and error-strewn as the Scots tried to find some momentum.
And they narrowed the gap further with another pinpoint penalty by Van der Walt.
But Jalibert quickly replied in identical style to restore his side’s cushion.
Suddenly the contest was blown wide open – thanks to a piece of magical work by Darcy Graham.
He looked destined to be barged into touch a metre short of the try-line.
However, with both feet in the air, he had the presence of mind to flip the ball infield to
Damien Holland, who wheeled over for the score.
Jalibert was on-target at the other end to repaired some of the damage.
As the action became frantic, Edinburgh gambled by spurning three points in order to keep the ball alive.
But their decision backfired as Hamish Watson lost possession in contact deep inside the danger zone.
The tension level soared when home prop Ben Tameoifuna was yellow-carded for a professional foul – and this time Van der Walt did go for the posts. His chip made it a sixpoint game with 10 minutes left.
But Jalibert snuffed out the Gunners with the final kick of the match.