GREATEST SCHOEMAN
Pierre’s on song to dump Welsh and top table
EDINBURGH supersub Pierre Schoeman shrugged off his crucial cameo performance to hail the fans.
The prop came off the bench to halt the Gunners’ slide and win the man of the match prize.
And the impressive, hardfought victory was enough to take the capital side to the top of Group B, with second-placed Munster taking on Scarlets today.
Schoeman was thrilled with the backing from the Murrayfield crowd as Gunners signed off for their break with a massive win.
He said: “The crowd were amazing tonight – it wasn’t a great match but their noise and their encouragement were important.
“We now have a three-week break from league duties and we are in great shape at the top of our section.”
Richard Cockerill had warned Edinburgh fans not to expect champagne rugby from his Pro14 title seekers.
And that forecast came true as the Gunners were forced to grind out a gritty win in a dour tussle at Murrayfield.
They had been the livelier side from the start but fell adrift as former star Jason Tovey slotted a penalty for Cardiff.
The response was quick and lethal. George Taylor showed his alertness by charging down a Tovey kick and followed up to snatch the try.
Edinburgh then had to display their defensive prowess to bundle Dan Fish into touch just short.
Taylor’s glee turned to gloom when he was taken off injured midway through the half and replaced by Chris Dean.
There was frustration for Simon Hickey as his long-range penalty crashed against the post – but he made no mistake afterwards from an easier position.
Edinburgh continued to claim the bulk of possession only for Tovey to find the target again on the stroke of the interval but his time came to a halt when he was carted off on a stretcher early in the second half.
Eroni Sau had a great chance to pounce for a Gunners try in the wake of a pinpoint lob by Hickey but spilled the ball just a pace from he line.
The jitters were eased as Hickey clipped over two more penalties in the closing stages.