Unbeaten PRO12 League leaders and current (Magners) Champions, Munster, fielded a strong team, with several current Irish International players, against an Edinburgh side whose current form suggested that Munster would stay unbeaten.
Edinburgh, however, took no notice of the visitors status and played good attacking rugby to run out deserved winners. 19 of Edinburgh’s 29 points came from the boot of scrum half, Greg Laidlaw, with the rest of the points from a try in each half. The first try was scored, with Edinburgh nine points ahead, on the 30 minute mark by birthday boy, Matt Scott, who skipped through to score from a David Denton (RaboDirect Man of the Match) pass.
Munster then took charge of the match for the rest of the half, forcing three penalties to leave the hosts 16-9 ahead at half time.
The second half started strongly for Edinburgh, who were playing open, running rugby and puting Munster under a great deal of pressure, when six minutes into the second half, a break from winger, Lee Jones, took Edinburgh well inside the Irish half. A superb offload out of a tackle to Laidlaw, saw the ball shipped to hooker, Steven Lawrie who ran through to score. With Laidlaw converting his second kick of the half, Edinburgh were 26 points to 9 ahead. Munster came up with their only try 10 minutes from the end, but by that time the match was all but over.
Laidlaw sealed the victory with his fifth penalty of the match with five minutes to go, leaving Edinburgh worthy match winners 29 points to 14.
After Edinburgh’s dismal start to the season, this was just the confidence booster the team and supporters needed with the opening rounds of the Heinekin Cup looming on the distant horizon (First game v London Irish, 12th November).
Report and Photo (Sean Cox) – John Preece
Web – http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
Much better performance from Edinburgh. I’m actually looking forward to the Heinekin Cup now.
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