Edinburgh simply outclass Connacht
Edinburgh ran in eight tries on Friday night on their way to overpowering a disappointing Connacht 62-13 at Murrayfield.
Scottish international Chris Paterson lived up to his reputation as a points machine once again, adding 27 points with the boot thanks largely to another impressive 100% kicking record.
The Irish province were simply not a match for their opponents on Friday evening - dominated the majority of the match; Connacht conceded six second half tries and managed just one five point effort themselves, a 68th minute effort from left wing Fionn Carr.
Suprisingly perhaps it was Connacht who in fact took the early lead. Some strong play by the visitors handed Ian Keatley a penalty shot while the Gunners where reduced to 14 men with Alan MacDonald yellow carded for foul play.
The home side though quickly established control. Leading 20-6 by the break, with both Mark Robertson and Ben Cairns having scored first half tries.
Paterson, ever reliable, struck 100% of his goal kicks during the match, including eight conversions and two penalties.
Two early tries in the second half pretty much put the game to bed for the Gunners but they were far from done.
Robertson, Ally Hogg, MacDonald, Turnball and Grant all went on to cross the try line during the second forty minutes, setting up a comfortable win for the Scottish side and pushing them up to the top of the Magners League table.
The Scorers
For Edinburgh
Tries: Robertson 2, Cairns, Paterson, Hogg, MacDonold, Turnbull, Grant
Pens: Paterson 2
Cons: Paterson 8
For Connacht
Tries: Carr
Pens: Keatley 2
Cons: Nikora
Yellow Cards: Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh - 7 min), John Muldoon (Connacht - 48 min), (Mike McCarthy - 55 min)
The teams:
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 John Houston, 11 Andrew Turnbull, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Allister Hogg (capt), 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Andrew Kelly, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Fraser McKenzie, 19 Scott Newlands, 20 Mike Blair/Ross Samson, 21 Steve Jones, 22 Nick De Luca.
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Troy Nathan, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Mike McComish, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Andrew Browne, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Ronan Loughney,
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Conor Higgins, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Johnny O'Connor, 20 Miah Nikora, 21 Conor O'Loughlin, 22 Aidan Wynne.
Date: Friday 11 September
Time: 19:30 (18:30 GMT)
Venue: Murrayfield
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Neil Paterson (Scotland), Alan Forrest (Scotland)