Late penalties keep Dragons in the hunt
Edinburgh 14 Gwent Dragons 19
Two late penalties by sub Lee Jarvis stunned the Gunners in the Celtic League match at Meadowbank tonight.
Brendan Laney’s long-range strike had looked enough for the capital men to take another crucial step towards retaining their status as Scotland’s top seeds in the Heineken Cup – but they paid the price for poor discipline in the dying minutes.
Edinburgh had looked the hungrier outfit in the jittery opening exchanges, but they could not turn pressure into precious points.
Laney was handed the first clear-cut scoring opportunity with a penalty on the angle close to the 22-line – however he pushed it wide of the target.
He was back in the spotlight to launch a clearance into enemy territory. The ball bounced crookedly away from Hal Luscombe and scooped up by Simon Webster.
But the chance was wasted when the Scotland winger’s chip flew straight out of play.
The match burst into life in the 17th minute as Percy Montgomery edged the Dragons in front with a penalty after a Webster defensive slip.
Then Peter Sidoli claimed the first try for the Welshmen in the wake of a breakdown in communications at the back involving the unfortunate Webster and Hugo Southwell.
Montgomery added the goal from the touchline before trading penalties with Laney – who slotted another just before the break from 35 metres to narrow the gap to seven points.
There was drama just after the restart when Irish World Cup referee Alan Lewis was forced to quit the action with a leg problem. He was replaced by Ian Heard of Biggar.
Gunners were ruling the roost and they set up a fine try for Webster. Allan Jacobsen did the initial damage and Laney gave the winger time and space with a long looping pass.
Laney the saw a long-range penalty shave the wrong side of the post – but two minutes later found his range and direction to put Edinburgh in front.
But Jarvis came off the bench to have the last words.
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