ALTHOUGH another season has passed without any silverware ending up in the rather bare cabinets of Murrayfield, Edinbugh can take significant pride in the manner they have defied the odds for much of the season.
This particular victory, over a Scarlets side who, admittedly, found themselves in turmoil following the somewhat impromptu departure ten days ago of coach Phil Davies, was their fourth in as many games on Welsh soil this season.
They defeated the
Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium last time out and, though their contribution to the early stages of this contest were minimal in terms of attacking success, eventually they were good enough to make sure that they will finish the domestic season in a creditable fourth place.
Had it not have been for one or two slipshod passes and a glance in the wrong direction from centre Nathan Brew when others were lined up on his outside, the Scarlets would have taken the lead far sooner than they did.
However, in the end, they had to wait 14 minutes before breaking their duck – Samoan World Cup hooker Mahonri Schwalger popping up on the overlap to cross for a try that outside half Rhys Priestland converted from the touchline.
Edinburgh's response was immediate, although the fluent, attacking style which accounted for the Ospreys two weeks previously gave way to a stuttering approach which bore little fruit until a sublime pass from Ben Cairns sent in lock Ben Gissing in for a try which Callum MacRae converted.
The criticism levelled at the Scarlets this season has been deserving. Their EDF Energy Cup season was disappointing, their Celtic campaign has been equally lacking in joy whilst their six successive defeats in the Heineken Cup placed the tin hat on a year which their chief executive Stuart Gallacher this week described as shocking.
For Andy Robinson and Edinburgh, the aim was to finish in style and to make sure that they once again proved that winning away from home soil is straightforward if you play with care and attention. On this occasion they did that and the Scarlets simply had no answer.
The Scarlets' plight was certainly not helped when, after 33 minutes, wing Andrew Turnbull raced on to a wonderfully flighted pass from Phil Godman to score his side's second try of the evening. Suddenly the visitors found themselves in pole position, strengthened two minutes into the second half when flanker and captain Ali Hogg appeared on the shoulder of lock Matt Mutschin to score at the posts.
Godman's conversion put further daylight between the sides and with precious little to come off the bench, the Scarlets were heading for their 11th and final defeat of the season.
With every decision and bounce of the ball going against the Scarlets, Edinburgh seized the opportunity to make the game safe when the outstanding Mike Blair took receipt of a try scoring pass from centre Nick De Luca to secure the bonus point. Godman, once again, added the extras.
Edinburgh were slick and not even Robinson's decision to ring the changes in the final quarter mattered as replacement David Blair extended the lead still further with a penalty from 40 metres.
Dafydd James grabbed a consolation try three minutes from time but by then Edinburgh were home and dry and looking forward to next season.
Scarlets: D Evans; D James, G Evans, N Brew (D Danniel 59), M Watkins; R Priestland (C Thomas 43), L Davies (G Cattle 69); P John (I Thomas 46), M Schwalger (K Owens 68), D Manu, V Cooper (L Reed 66), S MacLeod, S Easterby (capt), J Edwards (N Thomas 66), J Bater
Edinburgh: H Southwell; C MacRae (M Robertson 22), B Cairns, N De Luca, A Turnbull, P Godman (D Blair 54), M Blair (G Laidlaw 54); A Allori (G Cross 58), R Ford (S Lawrie 1), G Cross (A Jacobsen 40), M Mustchin (C Hamilton 59), B Gissing, A Hogg (capt), A MacDonald, D Callam (S Newlands 66)
Scorers: Llanelli Scarlets – Tries: Schwalger, James. Con: Priestland. Edinburgh – Tries: Gissing, Turnbull, Hogg, Blair. Cons: MacRae, Godman (2). Pen: D Blair
Referee: D Wilkinson (IRU)
Attendance: 6500
The full article contains 699 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
