Edinburgh outclass Heriot Watt in Varsity rugby showdown

Edinburgh University outperformed their city rivals in every facet of the game to win the 2008 Varsity Rugby Shield at Peffermill on Wednesday.

A solid defensive display coupled with incisive attacking rugby enabled Edinburgh to see off the visitors with relative ease. A fine team performance was coupled with a personal haul of 29 points from full back Matt Bennett, who also gained the Edinburgh Rugby Man of the Match Award.

Edinburgh took the lead within the opening two minutes through a simple Bennett penalty after the home side applied pressure on the Heriot Watt defence in their own 22, forcing an infringement. Heriot Watt’s continued lack of discipline in their own 22 under continued pressure allowed Edinburgh to extend their lead to 9-0, courtesy of two further Bennett penalties.

The visitors managed to bring themselves back into the game with a successful penalty by Fly Half, Richard Moffett, however they continually struggled to cope with Edinburgh’s pace and their scrambling defence proved to be no match for the slick and well organised home side.

After a Heriot Watt knock-on on their own ten-metre line, Edinburgh quickly pounced on the loose ball and secured possession. The industrious forward pack allowed inside centre, Tom Clark, to ghost through the Heriot Watt defence and touch down to the left of the posts. Bennett added the extras with a successful conversion leaving the score at 16-3.

Just when Heriot Watt should have been shutting out Edinburgh in order to give themselves a chance of a second half comeback, another indiscretion in their own 22 gifted Edinburgh and Bennett another three points. With the half time score at 19-3 it was hard to see how the visitors would gain the momentum and inspiration needed overcome the 16-point deficit.

The second half began with a missed penalty from Richard Moffett, and with scoring opportunities few and far between, it was three points they could ill afford to waste. Edinburgh replied with another Bennett penalty from inside the visitors’ 22 to quell any realistic chance of a comeback from Heriot Watt.

Having proved his worth with a series of outstanding kicks, Bennett was then rewarded with a try of his own. After the visitors gave possession away the home side were able to quickly pounce on the ball and ship it wide. With another try looming, a thumping tackle by Heriot Watt winger Lee Jones saw Edinburgh lose control of the ball, much to the jubilation of the visiting support.

However, as supporters rose in celebration, Bennett poked the ball through the disjointed defence, following up to touch down in style. He then converted his own try, sending the tough kick straight through the uprights to leave the visitors trailing at 29-3.

Jamie Clegg scored to further stretch the home sides’ lead after good link-up play between forwards and backs with Bennett adding the extras to make it 36-3. Heriot Watt’s ‘never say die’ attitude yielded a try three minutes from time with William Thornton jinking his way to the try line, breaking several weak tackles from a complacent Edinburgh defence. Chris Beattie converted, giving Heriot Watt some consolation in what was otherwise a very bleak afternoon from their perspective.

In injury time, the visitors gave away a sixth penalty inside their own 22, typifying their lack of discipline which coach Mark Cairns will no doubt promptly address before their next game. Bennett dutifully took the three points on offer and the game finished 39-10.

Speaking after the game, Edinburgh head coach Dale Lyon praised his squad for their clinical display and emphasised the continued importance of the fixture.

“We played more of the right rugby in the right places. We controlled the game, controlled field position and territory and made more of the right decisions. At the end of the day the varsity game is still an important feature for the students so we have got to do well. We had to put a performance on and I think today has been a good advert for university rugby.”