View Article
ROBBO HAS BATH
Bath: 8 (8) Edinburgh: 19 (9)
Edinburgh completed their pre-season unbeaten with this useful win over a strong Bath side at The Rec last night. Three penalties from Chris Paterson and a brace of tries from wingers Webster and Turnbull saw off the home side in this friendly.
An early try from winger Maddock and a penalty by Australian playmaker Berne gave the West Country side an early lead. Although Edinburgh had started well, Bath were on top for much of the first half. The Embra set piece continues to struggle somewhat. Indeed, it was off a lost visiting throw-in that Maddock's try was created.
But the visitors grabbed the lead at the break with Mossy notching three penalties in ten minutes.
They extended their lead shortly aftert the restart. Craig Hamilton's aggressive tackle forced a turnover near halfway, hacked upfield by Dave "DC" Callam. Webster hared after it, gathered and cantered over from distance for a fine try. Edinburgh always look more dangerous when "Webbo" is on the park and it was encouraging to see him back in decent form.
As against Wasps last week, it was now Embra who looked the more creative side. As importantly, the visiting defence was solid and coped with everything that Bath could throw at them in the second period.
"DC" and the returning Mike Blair and Ali "Hoggy" Hogg featured in the build up to Embra's second touchdown, by Andy "Turny" Turnbull on the hour. The score made the game safe and capped another encouraging outing.
Interestingly, the offical figure for the crowd was 3,300, around 1,000 less than saw Edinburgh defeat Wasps at Murrayfield last weekend.
Not all aspects of the game were particularly friendly, though. Both David Blair and Nick de Luca suffered from what looked like shoulder charges, disappointing coach Andy "Robbo" Robinson on his homecoming.
Two wins against quality opposition have set Edinburgh up nicely for next Friday's meeting with Munster at Murrayfield. Lest anyone gets too carried away with pre-season performances, though, these guys know how to scrummage. Edinburgh are going to have to sort out that aspect of their game if they are to be successful.
CHRIS HOY-RELATED FASCINATIONG FACT OF THE WEEK: Sir Chris studied at the University of St Andrews where he was voted Sportsman of the Year 1996, and was awarded his Blue in his first year.
Scorers:
Bath: Try: N Abendanon. Pen: S Berne.
Edinburgh: Tries: S Webster, A Turnbull. Pens: C Paterson (3)
Team:
Edinburgh: C Paterson, M Robertson, C Macrae, N De Luca, S Webster, P Godman, M Blair (capt), A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Cross, M Mustchin, C Hamilton, S Newlands, A MacDonald, A Hogg.
Referee: A Rowden (Berkshire)
Martin Bell
