New Edinburgh duo prove to be real Dragons slayers
DRAGONS 14 EDINBURGH 30
Edinburgh made it four wins out of six starts in the URC last night – and their new Argentinian duo played a massive part in the victory.
Full-back Emiliano Boffelli was first in on the act, scoring just two minutes into his debut for Mike Blair’s team. And winger Ramiro Moyano added two more tries in the first half as Edinburgh played some excellent attacking rugby on a freezing night at Rodney Parade.
The second half was a dull affair compared to the first, but two penalties from Blair
Kinghorn – who had converted one of those first-half tries – were enough to secure the win.
Then Damien Hoyland claimed a fourth try right on full-time to make it a bonus-point win that keeps Edinburgh in touch at the top of the table. Kinghorn converted that one too.
Edinburgh were pinned back in their own half for the first couple of minutes, but they worked patiently in search of an opening.
A kick through by James Lang was blocked, but the centre had highlighted a gap in the home defence, and a minute later Boffelli exploited it.
Nick Haining made the half-break in midfield, and the full-back kicked ahead then put in another shorter kick before touching down. Blair Kinghorn converted.
The visitors kept up the pressure. Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Hodgson and James Lang all had good carries deep into the Dragons half, and eventually Moyano managed to squeeze in at the left corner.
Kinghorn was just off target with the conversion attempt.
The Dragons had looked out of sorts after losing Taine Basham to an early HIA, but they got a score back with an excellent move of their own.
Jordan Williams made the initial break, captain Harrison Keddie carried on into the Edinburgh 22, and Sam Davies was up in support to finish off and add the conversion.
The Welsh team were soon back under pressure and the penalty count against them continued to mount. But at times Edinburgh were too eager to force an opening when attacking patiently was more likely to pay dividends.
A five-point lead was hardly a fair reflection of how dominant they had been – and that lead vanished seven minutes before the break when right-winger Jonah Holmes finished off.
Davies converted again to put the Dragons ahead.
Edinburgh needed to hit back before half-time – and they did when Moyano hacked ahead from a loose ball and won the race to touch down.
Kinghorn missed the conversion again, but at least his team were back in front.
The Dragons had two penalties in the opposition 22 in the last minute of the half, but they went for touch both times and failed to score from the lineouts.
Edinburgh played more patiently in the third quarter, relying on their forwards to gain ground steadily rather than looking for something spectacular from the backs.
The Dragons eventually offended in front of their own posts, and this time Kinghorn made no mistake with the penalty.
With both teams running out of steam a bit after the 100mph first half, Edinburgh got another kickable penalty a dozen minutes from time after failing to find an opening in a defiant Dragons defence.
Kinghorn was on target again to put his side nine points clear, then had the last word after Hoyland scored as the clock went past the 80-minute mark.