Steele's industry drives Edinburgh to quarter final spot

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Edinburgh University RFC booked themselves a place in the quarter final of the BUSA Trophy competition after close encounter with rivals Birmingham. The last time these two teams met it was Birmingham who came out victorious in the final minutes of extra time, but this year it was Edinburgh’s turn to upset the home crowds. A late, match-winning try by full-back Liam Steele brought Edinburgh their finest win of what has been a disappointing season.

The away team was forced to make the three hundred mile journey down to England's second city by car the night before the game, but there was an eagerness and determination in the squad that such an odious journey should not be a wasted one.

Conditions were perfect for some fast, free flowing rugby but unfortunately for the visitors a series of early errors right from the kick-off put Birmingham in a promising position on the edge of the visitors twenty-two. A textbook line-out and drive gave them a platform with which to release their backs. Simple hands by the backs found centre Mike Power cutting back inside the Edinburgh midfield to score under the posts, and the try was promptly converted by fly half Ben Roland-Jones.

After a shaky start, a penalty by Steele settled the Edinburgh side. Both teams made a series of unforced errors from errant kicks and neither looked in control of the game. Steele and Roland-Jones had another effort at goal mid way through the first half, with only the Birmingham fly-half finding his mark.

The Edinburgh breakthrough came in the 25^th minute as wing James Pang, taking the ball at first receiver, caught the opposition fly half off guard to skip through and find centre Tom Clark in quick support. The impressive Steele made no mistake with the conversion.

In the second half Edinburgh began to control the game. The back row were relentless in the tackle at the breakdown, with open side Jake Kenny putting in a match-winning performance. A number of counter-attacking opportunities from Edinburgh went astray but it was the Birmingham fly-half who kicked the only points in the opening stages of the second half.

Continued pressure by Edinburgh eventually paid off. A quick tap from a penalty deep in the Birmingham half led to some slick hands from fly half Jamie Doubleday and centre Clark, that allowed wing John Geddie to touch down in the opposite corner. However, Edinburgh were not in for an easy run and 5 minutes later the home side found the overlap to send wing Dave Edwards into the corner for their second score of the day.

Edinburgh had to wait until the final five minutes to seal a well-earned victory. A clearance kick from Birmingham failed to find touch and the ball was then quickly distributed through the hands to find Steele. A meandering run of nearly 50 metres allowed Steele to keep Edinburgh ahead.

Much to the dismay of the Edinburgh coach, a late penalty was awarded to Birmingham but centre Power failed to convert. Moments later Edinburgh were celebrating their finest victory of the season, and one that earned them a home quarter-final against the University of the West of England. The home side looked on, bemused and dejected.

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