Edinburgh lose out to Leinster
4 Mar 2023Edinburgh fell to defeat against a relentless Leinster side, with the league leaders running out comprehensive winners at DAM Health Stadium.
The visitors, who remain undefeated in all competitions this season, cranked through the gears in a dominant second half, scoring four tries in a whirlwind 15 minute spell.
The first half was a breathless, and hugely competitive affair. Edinburgh charged out of the blocks, and deservedly took the lead through the returning Emiliano Boffelli. Stuart McInally started the move, breaking through the Leinster line, with Marshall Sykes supporting the impressive hooker. The ball was recycled quickly, with Boffelli crashing over.
Leinster showed their class to reply immediately, scoring a typically clinical try through Max Deegan. The see-saw half continued, with Edinburgh retaking the lead through Boan Venter. Mark Bennett carried well to put the home side on the front foot, with the capital side again going well through the phases, before Venter powered over.
Boffelli added a penalty, before the Dublin side crossed for their second score of the half, Scott Penny darting over from close range. It didn’t take long for the league leaders to take the lead, with Michael Milne dotting down after Dave Kearney had broken through the Edinburgh defence.
The second half started in disastrous fashion, with the visitors scoring almost immediately to claim their bonus point try. The men from Dublin pounced on an Edinburgh error, breaking through before Byrne put in a cross field kick to give Dave Kearney a simple finish.
The home side hit back shortly after, with Boffelli scoring his second of the game. Mata pulled of a brilliant offload, before Vellacott and Hoyland combined to put the Argentine away in the corner.
Boffelli’s try didn’t prove to be the start of a comeback, however, with Leinster turning the screw to put the game beyond the Edinburgh men. Milne crashed over for his second score, before fellow prop Michael Ala’alatoa scored from a similarly close range. Scott Penny then added his second of the match to put the game beyond doubt.
The home pack showed fight until the end, winning a succession of scrum penalties, with Venter, Atalifo, Jack and Millar Mills all playing their part in a positive for the capital team. With the contest gone, Edinburgh turned their attention to claiming a try-bonus, and managed it in the dying moments through Sam Skinner; the lock crossing over to score.
