Connacht gain bonus point at Edinburgh

Edinburgh 17 Connacht 32

Edinburgh’s lack of resources was cruelly exposed again as Connacht cruised to a comprehensive Celtic League success at Meadowbank.

With so many first-choice players absent on Scotland duties, coach Frank Hadden’s worst fears were realised as he was forced to send rookies into battle against seasoned professionals.

Connacht, looking for revenge after their Celtic Cup semi-final defeat by the capital side, seized control during the opening stages and they deservedly broke the deadlock after seven minutes.

Darren Yapp had Connor McPhillips alongside him and the home markers took the wrong option by devoting all their attentions to the latter. Yapp took full advantage of their commitment by ignoring his colleague and scooting to the line on his own. Old stager Eric Elwood added the goal points.

Rattled Edinburgh responded positively to tie the contest five minutes later. Hugo Southwell launched the potent move which ended in confusion. Winger Conan Sharman claimed the touchdown after scooping up his own chip-ahead.

But the referee ruled he had been obstructed in the chase and awarded a penalty try. While the decision robbed Sharman of the personal glory, it gave Ally Warnock a much easier conversion which he lobbed over without fuss.

Connacht stepped up the pace and were well worth their half-time lead. Their second try came in the 26th minute and again Yapp was in the thick of it. He and Shane Moore combined superbly to create the space and time for Matt Mostyn to finish safely.

Elwood slotted the conversion and then thumped over a short-range penalty when the home pack handled in a ruck in their own 22. Connacht looked hungry again after the restart and they effectively snuffed out the Edinburgh challenge by setting up another try in the 42nd minute.

Southwell’s floated pass was plucked out of the air by John O’Sullivan who released McPhillips to complete the job. Warnock clawed back a penalty for the struggling Gunners, but any lingering prospect of a fightback disappeared as Shane Moore ploughed over to make sure of the bonus point for Connacht.

Prop Allan Jacobsen bagged a late consolation try for Edinburgh, converted by Warnock. But Elwood had the last word with another penalty.