Edinburgh close in on quarter-finals

Edinburgh 33 Neath-Swansea Ospreys 15

Edinburgh have made history by becoming the first Scottish side to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.

Edinburgh knew a win with a bonus point would book their passage and, barring a series of freak results elsewhere, they will be there – at the very least as one of the best group runners-up.

Meadowbank erupted seconds from time when inspirational skipper Brendan Laney nipped in to complete his try double and achieve the landmark scoreline.

After penalties were swapped by Laney and Gavin Henson, Ally Hogg claimed the opening touchdown.

Laney confidently slotted the conversion, only to see Henson reduce the lead with another penalty.

Edinburgh shook off the setback to bag six more points, thanks to two excellent strikes by Laney – the second of which was at least five metres inside his own half.

But Henson clipped over his third penalty to keep his side in the picture.

The Gunners suffered a further double blow just before the break.

First, prop Allan Jacobsen was sinbinned after the intervention of a touch-judge – then Henson kept up his great run with the boot by bagging three more points.

Laney was the man who mattered seven minutes after the restart as he kept up his remarkable strike rate.

The Gunners’ pack power shone through as they worked their way up field and Laney lived up to his “Chainsaw” nickname by carving his way through for try number two.

They took another step towards their target when Hogg completed his double after sniping work by Mike Blair in the wake of a penalty taken as a scrum, and Laney converted.

Henson clawed back three points for the Welshmen, but in reality they were never in with a shout.

And it was left to Laney to pounce at the end.