Edinburgh head into new campaign on bit of a high
EDINBURGH 50 BENETTON 29
Edinburgh claimed a morale-boosting victory to take into the new campaign yesterday, running in eight tries to see off Benetton in their second and final preseason friendly.
There were still a few signs of summer rust in the team’s performance, but they also put together some excellent attacks, as new head coach Mike Blair begins to make an impact with his more adventurous game plan.
Scrum-half Ben Vellacott was named Man of the Match after a fine display which included an opportunistic try, while winger Damien Hoyland touched down twice but was just as impressive in defence.
“It was a great pre-season game, because we’ve got things to work on,” assistant coach Steven Lawrie said after the match.
“I thought there were some really good tries scored from across the 15. It was good to see the forwards chip in with a few driven mauls as well.
“But the other thing we will need to address this week, and make sure we’re mindful of, is the territory battle. We need to make sure that we apply pressure in appropriate areas whilst also trying to free up our game.
“In this process there’s going to be a little bit of looseness, and we saw that in
a couple of the scores that we leaked.”
The main worry for Edinburgh as they prepare for Saturday’s opening United Rugby Championship match at home to the Scarlets is a lengthy injury list, particularly up front.
Magnus Bradbury joined the list on Thursday with a foot knock that ruled him out of this game after he had been named in the starting line-up, while his replacement, Nick Haining, lasted only a few minutes before limping off.
However, Lawrie is hopeful
that some of those who had to sit out this match will be back – including talisman Bill Mata, the Fijian No 8.
The most encouraging thing about the game? Surely Edinburgh’s superior staying power, which saw them finish off by far the stronger team after going in at the break just 19-17 up.
Tries from Mark Bennett, Vellacott and Hoyland, plus two Blair Kinghorn conversions, had given them that lead, with the third of those coming in the final minute of the half.
Benetton went ahead again very early in the second half, but Luke Crosbie put the home side in front just two minutes later, and they did not relinquish the lead again.
Further tries from Stuart McInally, Ben Muncaster, Hoyland with his second and finally Patrick Harrison stretched the margin of victory. Kinghorn got his third conversion, and then substitute Charlie Savala added two more, with his second bringing up the halfcentury with the final kick of the contest.