A first-half blitz with tries from Greig Tonks, Greig Laidlaw and Netani Talei ensured Edinburgh finished their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign with a 31-24 win over the Dragons, withstanding a late onslaught from their visitors. Edinburgh’s three scores came in 11 first-half minutes which proved enough for victory but back-to-back scores from Dan Lydiate and Tom Prydie almost completed a remarkable turnaround. In his final match for the club, Allan ‘Chunk’ Jacobsen led Edinburgh out to a rapturous reception but it was the Dragons who drew first blood in the fifth minute. Visiting fly-half Steffan Jones streaked under the post after gathering an offload from the rampaging Toby Faletau before Prydie added the extras to give the Dragons a 7-0 lead. On ten minutes, Prydie had the chance extend the lead but he missed his chance for three points from the tee as Edinburgh struggled to get going at Murrayfield. But the hosts stirred to life on 13 minutes and having been given a penalty on the five-metre line, Harry Leonard kicked the ball across the field for full-back Tonks who dotted down. Leonard converted to level the scores and just five minutes later Edinburgh ahead after some bruising forward play barged the hosts upfield and Laidlaw sniped over from five metres. This time Laidlaw took the conversion and missed the target but Edinburgh didn’t have to wait long for another score – Talei showing some magical footwork against his the club he is soon to join to dance his way over the line on 24 minutes. When Laidlaw converted the Gunners were 19-7 to the good and both sides found themselves down to 14 men on the half hour after a scuffle resulted in Sean Cox and Andrew Coombs being sent to the sin bin. Dragons centre Ross Wardle then followed Coombs to the bin for a tip tackle on Talei and Edinburgh took full advantage – Laidlaw knocking over a penalty on 35 minutes. Prydie finally interrupted the Edinburgh barrage with a 39th-minute penalty but Laidlaw responded in kind just before the break to hand the hosts a 25-10 half-time lead. After the break, Edinburgh set about keeping the scoreboard ticking over and they succeeded in the 51st minute when Laidlaw continued his fine form from the tee. And he was at it again three minutes later to give Edinburgh a commanding 31-10 lead. The Dragons refused to lie down however and with 17 minutes remaining they had their second try of the night – Wales flanker Lydiate celebrating his call-up to the British & Irish Lions squad with an impressive try on his final appearance for the Dragons. Prydie added the conversion to bring the Dragons to within two converted tries of Edinburgh and that soon became one when the Welsh full-back took matters into his own hands and dotted down before notching the extras. The pressure was clearly getting to Edinburgh, who missed a penalty through Laidlaw, but the hosts held on the finish their season on a high. Extensive in-game highlights of the RaboDirect PRO12 are now available on the official YouTube channel
