European Cup: Edinburgh and Biarritz draw

Both sides were left facing a hard struggle to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup after being forced to settle for a hard-earned draw tonight after an opening day defeat.

European Cup: Edinburgh and Biarritz draw

Edinburgh 6, Biarritz 6 (full-time)

Both sides were left facing a hard struggle to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup after being forced to settle for a hard-earned draw tonight after an opening day defeat.

The two sides grabbed one try between them last week and neither looked like adding to that in a less than spectacular show.

By the interval, Biarritz had opened up a 6-0 lead thanks to the couple of penalties from their winger Stuart Legg.

Duncan Hodge had the chance to respond but the Edinburgh fly-half made a complete mess of his couple of penalty shots.

Hodge’s first miss was the first incident in the game which nearly came to life when Biarritz’s Australian wing legend Joe Roff produced a touch of class which ended with Legg’s first penalty success.

As the half drew to a close the French side began to get on top with Legg’s second success coming two minutes from the break.

There was still time for Hodge to register his second miss as flanker Serge Betsen was shown a yellow card.

Biarritz began the second half brightly but within 12 minutes Edinburgh had levelled.

A burst by Craig Smith took play to the French side’s line and a penalty was won in front of the posts which Hodge struck home.

Then he put over a drop goal from the left to bring Edinburgh level and set up what should have been a grandstand finish as the two teams attempted to put some pressure on pool pacesetters Bath and Swansea.

But, with the scores tied, the game just sank back to its previously disappointing level.

With two minutes remaining it boiled over with a punch up between Allan Jacobsen and Jean Michel Gonzalez who were both sin binned.

It proved to be the last meaningful action in the contest and already Edinburgh’s bid to become the first Scottish side to reach the knock-out stages of the competition look doomed to failure.

x

More in this section

Sport

Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers. and reporters

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited