Gunners shoot down English champs
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:56
Geoff Cross scored a wonder try against English champions, London Wasps, to ensure Edinburgh's start to the new season began with a 22-15 win at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Edinburgh turned on the style and their 'keep the ball alive' attacking strategy punched holes in Wasps' revered defence.
Scott Newlands – making his first start in the Black and Red at Murrayfield – set the tone for the rest of the game with a thrilling break after just three minutes.
Continued pressure led to the opening penalty of the match, which Phil Godman translated into three points for the home team.
But the visitors, with an array of England internationalists in their side, proved to be more streetwise at the breakdown and their pack powered over to score from a driving maul; the try credited to prop Pat Barnard.
Further forays deep into Wasps territory created clear-cut try scoring opportunities for Edinburgh, but unfortunately some handling errors – attributed to rustiness – meant the scoreline remained the same.
Wasps' ability to counter attack with first phase rugby almost led to Josh Lewsey scoring until Mark Robertson – making his first start for Edinburgh – nullified the threat with a perfectly-timed tackle.
Nevertheless Wasps kept plugging away and Tom Voyce showed his razor sharp finishing ability by touching down in the corner to hand the visitors a 10-3 half-time lead.
After the break, Edinburgh looked brighter and sharper and that new found zest led to Nick De Luca scoring a textbook try.
Showing exemplary vision and awareness, the Scotland centre carved open the Wasps' defence before diving underneath the posts.
Then Godman contributed again with a textbook try that underlined his qualities as a gifted playmaker.
The Merchiston Magician started the move inside his own half and his flat passing brought Matt Mustchin into the game.
Mustchin's offload was gathered by Andrew Turnbull who showed searing pace before passing off his shoulder to Godman who scored in the corner.
England flank James Haskell slipped through the Edinburgh defence to level the score at 15-15 and to set up an adrenaline charged finale to proceedings.
Then Cross seized centre stage and raced 40 yards before side-stepping fullback Mark Van Gisbergen and cross the whitewash.
Scorers:
For Edinburgh:
Tries: De Luca, Godman, Cross
Cons: Godman 2
Pen: Godman
For Wasps:
Tries: Barnard, Voyce, Haskell
Teams:
Edinburgh: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns (captain), 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Simon Webster, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Scott Newlands, 7 Alan MacDonald, 6 Fraser McKenzie, 5 Ben Gissing, 4 Steve Turnbull, 3 Gavin
Kerr, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements - from: Chris Paterson, Andrew Turnbull, Calum MacRae, David Blair, Ben Meyer, Andrew Kelly, Mustchin, Craig Hamilton, Kyle Traynor.
London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Josh Lewsey, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Dominic Waldouck, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Riki Flutey, 9 Eoin Reddan (captain), 8 John Hart, 7 Joe Worsley, 6 James Haskell, 5 Richard Birkett, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Pat Barnard, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements - from: Damien Varley, Tom French, Tom Palmer, Hugo Ellis, Mark Robinson, Jeremy Staunton, Chris Bishay, Michael Holford, Rob Hoadley.
With thanks to Edinburgh Rugby
