Edinburgh come good against Dragons

Edinburgh 33 Newport-Gwent Dragons 3

Edinburgh sealed a memorable Celtic League night for Scotland’s success-starved professional teams by snuffing out the Dragons at Murrayfield.

The clinical bonus point triumph, on a night when Glasgow won heavily in Llanelli, ensured the head-to-head tussle with Glasgow to decide the nation’s number one seeds for the Heineken Cup will go down to the wire.

Just as importantly, the win clinched the Gunners’ passage into the Celtic Cup - and a possible collision with their local rivals.

Edinburgh made a storming start, but could not turn pressure into instant points.

Chris Paterson, Todd Blackadder and Simon Webster all had tilts at the line - but found the visiting defence in defiant mood.

The confidence of the home troops was underlined when they opted to go for a penalty line-out instead of a pot at goal, but they were unable to make it count.

Having weathered the early storm, the Dragons replied positively to edge in front during their first foray into enemy territory.

Percy Montgomery was felled by a high tackle by Marcus Di Rollo, giving Ceri Sweeney a smple kick close to the uprights.

Irish referee Donal Courtney jumped into the spotlight as he incurred the wrath of the home fans twice in quick succession.

First, he scolded skipper Blackadder for backchat – then he yellow-carded prop Craig Smith for killing the ball in a ruck.

The groans turned to glee, however, as the Gunners responded by bagging the opening try, hooker Andy Kelly barrelling over in the aftermath of a line-out which the Dragons had decided not to contest.

The Welshmen bounced back with a series of counter-attacks, but their slick lead-up work was marred by poor finishing – and they were rocked by another sucker-punch.

Di Rollo darted down the middle before sending Webster on a cruise to the line from 30 metres.

Paterson added the conversion.

Dragons fell further adrift just three minutes later when Lions break-away Simon Taylor powered through from the base of the scrum after Montgomery was pressured into hoofing the ball over his own try line.

Edinburgh stepped up the tempo once again as the interval approached and the crucial bonus point was secured as more excellent toil by Taylor paved the way for back-row partner Ally Hogg to reach the target. Paterson added both goals.

The trend continued after the restart with Edinburgh looking by far the hungrier outfit and the Dragons were hit by another blow when hooker Steve Jones was forced off with a hand injury.

And within seconds, the contest was effectively settled when Paterson latched on to an offload from Phil Godman to scuttle in under the crossbar, giving himself a formality of a kick.