Gunners Stun Scarlets
10 October - Edinburgh 25 Llanelli 16
John Beattie must have made off with BBC Sport's thesaurus to help him brush up on his commentary. BBC Online's headline writers are currently struggling for inspiration as a result. Recent weeks have seen "Glasgow stun Munster", "Connacht stun Scarlets", "Sharks stun Tigers" and, you've guessed it, "Edinburgh stun Leinster." Everyone's stunned. Everyone, that is, except Gunners supporters, who are not at all stunned to see their team starting the season so strongly.
Tonight the Gunners despatched a quality Llanelli side that offered a sterner challenge than the Blues had done in the Cup a week before. For the moment at least, they sit proudly atop the Celtic League, two points clear of second placed Ulster due to their superior bonus points. Coach Hadden pointed out before kick off that the Gunners have been averaging five tries a game since the turn of the year. If they continue to rack up the bonus points at their current rate, they will be well-placed at the end of the season, should they be challenging for the title. At 25-1 to win the League, the Gunners are looking increasingly like a prudent investment.
Coming into the game Llanelli were the early pace-setters, the only unbeaten side in the tournament. They had suffered a disappointing home loss in the Cup to Connacht, the surprise package of the season so far, and were looking to get back on track with a win.
"Llanelli were the best team we've come up against so far" according to try-scorer Craig Joiner after the match, "but we felt we were on top after the first twenty minutes. Our biggest problem just now is that we're pushing the game too much. Fans don't want to see 10 man rugby and we don't want to play it. We want to play a 15 man game."
The Gunners didn't disappoint on that score, with a try count of four to one in their favour, including a brace for stand-off Ali Warnock, the top scorer in last year's BT Premiership. While the young half-back left his kicking boots at home tonight, missing three difficult penalties and three conversions, in every other aspect of his game he looked assured.
For the third week in a row, the Gunners started slowly. Llanelli Captain Vernon Cooper had promised that the Scarlets would come out all guns blazing, and they were true to his word. Full-back Byrne scored on three minutes after an impressive burst by Salesi Finau, goaled by stand-off Bowen. Although the dangerous Finau generally made ground when in possession throughout the game, Edinburgh managed to contain him.
Warnock pulled back three points with a penalty on 20 minutes after a dangerous Southwell break was halted on the Llanelli 22. Bowen replied almost immediately, with a penalty for holding on in the tackle. But the Edinburgh lineout was performing well, putting a great deal of pressure on the Scarlets' throw in. The Gunners were coming back into the game as they had done against Leinster and Cardiff, and it was no surprise when Webster crossed for the best try of the evening. The score was set up by a fine break by Tom Philip, who made ground every time he took the ball up during the game; Allan Jacobsen turning provider this week with a deft pass to Webster. The wing still had plenty to do, but powered his way through two tackles on the line to record his third try of the season.
Five minutes later, Warnock scored in the right corner after Hogg had run back a rare poor Llanelli clearance, taking the score to 13-10 Gunners. Shortly afterwards, Llanelli scrum-half Phillips popped over a drop goal to tie the score at half time.
The second half again saw the Gunners getting into their stride. Craig Joiner scored a fine try in the left corner after Webster had scythed through the Scarlets' defence, running an intelligent angle, Warnock converting. Although Bowen pulled back three points with another penalty on 50 minutes, Edinburgh were fairly comfortable in the lead, particularly with the advantage of a deceptively strong westerly wind at their backs.
While the Scarlets kept at the task throughout the second half, they rarely spread the ball wide, and when they did there always seemed to be plenty of Edinburgh cover. Warnock rounded off an impressive personal display with his second try on 75 minutes, nipping over after another close-range Gunners maul had been taken down just short of the try-line to make the final score 25-16 to the Gunners.
Andrew Dall's verdict after the game was that this had been a "pretty solid performance overall. We put in the tackles and kept up the workrate. It was very tidy. Tom Philip's very confident, and set up a lot of chances for the backs." It was indeed another good day at the office for Edinburgh, in front of an impressive home crowd.
After a few weeks at home, the Gunners are off on their travels next week on league business. This time it's a flying visit to Wales to take on Scott Gibbs and the Neath-Swansea Ospreys at The Gnoll on Friday 17 October. If you plan to go, get in touch with Ann McKinsley at Edinburgh Rugby on 0131 346 5252.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
TOM PHILIP has been in fine form so far this season and richly deserved his award. SIMON WEBSTER picked up the Supporters' Club award for a sparkling display, including a fine try and setting up try-scorer Craig Joiner's touchdown.
Read Bill Lothian's verdict in the Evening News - http://www.sport.scotsman.com/rugby_superteams.cfm
For a Llanelli reaction visit www.llanelliscarlets.com
Scorers: Edinburgh: Warnock 2T, 1C, 1P, Webster 1T, Joiner 1T
Llanelli: Bowen 1C, 3P, Byrne 1T
Edinburgh team: D Lee, S Webster, C Joiner (di Rollo 65), T Philip, H Southwell, A Warnock, G Burns, A Jacobsen, A Kelly (71 di Ciacca), J Brannigan (Smith 60), G Perrett, A Kellock (Strokosh 40), T Blackadder, captain, A Hogg (S Cross 80), A Dall. Replacements: C Di Ciacca, C Smith, A Strokosch, S Cross, R Lawson, M Di Rollo, C Sharman.
Llanelli team: L Byrne; T Selley, M Watkins, S Finau, R Rees; G Bowen, M Phillips; P John, R Williams, J Davies, A Jones, J Griffiths (B Griffiths 46), V Cooper (capt), G Williams, E Lewis. Replacements: D Maddocks, A Yelland, B Griffiths, D Burn, C Thomas
Yellow card: B Griffiths
Referee: A McKay (Ireland)