Edinburgh fall apart in Cardiff humbling

CARDIFF BLUES 34 EDINBURGH 15

EDINBURGH’S dreadful Pro14 season continued with a defeat that ended any hopes of making next season’s Heineken Champions Cup. A second-half collapse handed the game to Cardiff as Richard Cockerill’s men fell to their ninth defeat in 14 league games. A penalty from Edinburgh’s Charlie Savala on his first start broke the deadlock after 21 minutes. The lead didn’t last long, though, with Jarrod Evans putting a penalty over for Cardiff four minutes later. Cockerill’s team then turned down the chance of an easy three points in favour of a kick to the corner and it proved a great decision. After winning the lineout, Mike Willemse found Luke Crosbie, who then fed Charlie Shiel. His pass created an opening for centre George Taylor to score. Savala’s conversion increased their lead but, with the clock in the red, he pulled a penalty attempt wide. Cardiff got the first score of the second half through an Evans penalty after Mesu Kunavula was caught offside and the dam burst 11 minutes after the break when a maul from a line-out led to Liam Belcher coming up with the ball. Evans put over the extras.

Cardiff’s second-half dominance continued with a move that started near their own line and was finished in the corner by Rey Lee-Lo. Evans’ conversion gave the home side a ten-point lead. Edinburgh needed a score desperately and they got it in their first attack of the second half. Damien Hoyland’s great angled run was stopped just short, but Taylor was on his shoulder to go over to score his second try of the game. Cardiff pulled further ahead, however, with an Evans try that he converted himself. Edinburgh had what looked like a legitimate try ruled out when referee Nigel Owens ruled Blair Kinghorn had knocked on in the build-up to a touchdown from Eroni Sau. And Cardiff had the last word with a bonus-point try from James Ratti. l GLASGOW Warriors have signed 27-year-old Argentine international winger Sebastian Cancelliere on a three-year deal.