For a brief moment, time seemed to stop as the Edinburgh maul powered closer and closer to victory, thousands of baying supporters urging them over the line. Amidst the ecstatic celebrations of those in green, players and fans alike, one couldn’t help but feel there had been something inevitable about this triumph–the last-minute nature of it capping off what had been an incredible rollercoaster of a second half.
The first half was rather different, giving the impression that both sets of players were sizing each other up in an attritional battle reminiscent of the doleful Springbok games: a familiar rhythm of scrum, kick for lineout, turnover, repeat, with the game reflecting the grizzly, autumnal Edinburgh skies.
There was still room for players to show their quality. Edinburgh’s no.10, Jamie Cain, fully deserving of his POTM award, was near-flawless from the tee, which ultimately made the difference in this narrow contest. His performance was encapsulated by a 61st-minute conversion taken from within 2 yards of touch, which he skilfully weaved between the posts to swing momentum back in the home side’s favour.
Despite Cain’s admirable showing, there was little to be said for either side in the way of first-half creativity. At times, St Andrews were careless in possession, particularly from lineouts. Edinburgh were the better side but lacked the killer pass to make their domination count on the scoresheet.
That remained the case until the 30th minute. With an advantage on their side in the attacking third, Edinburgh rapidly switched from right to left. A disguised dummy by Joe Townshend gained further ground before two lightning-quick passes allowed winger Jake Brunner to walk in for the game’s first try. Edinburgh had found the clinical play that they’d been searching for right on the stroke of half-time, and it seemed as though the floodgates of St Andrews’ resilient defence had been opened.
There had been signs that St Andrews wouldn’t just roll over in such a historic derby. In the 33rd minute, following a superb darting run by Jamie Thomson, Mark Grant slid over the line for what would have been a fantastic try, save for a forward pass in the build-up.
Pressure on the Edinburgh defence mounted in the second half with St Andrews’ no.7 Michael Onohayedo piling over after a quickly taken penalty, putting the visitors into the lead for the first time with half an hour remaining. A far from ideal yellow card for Edinburgh’s Townshend in the 51st minute was followed quickly by the powerful Roeland van den Berg twisting past three defenders to slam the ball down between the posts. Offord’s conversion made it 17 unanswered points for the boys in blue, putting them 20-11 up.
For a brief moment, the St Andrews purple patch seemed to have stunned Edinburgh into submission until a well-taken lineout and crushing maul in the left corner allowed Edinburgh hooker Freddie Deeks to squeeze home and reduce the deficit. By this point, the Edinburgh support in the stands played a monumental role in getting behind the team, the atmosphere erupting after the gloomy first half.
The teams were separated by just two points going into the final ten minutes, all the players well aware that any slight mistake could cost their team the game. Cain and Offord traded nervously converted penalty kicks, making the score 23-21 to St Andrews with a matter of minutes remaining.
The away team desperately tried to cling to their slender advantage. Cain responded by piling on the pressure with a kick for a lineout in the right-hand corner.
The lineout had to be immaculate. The maul had to be monumental. Both were. Edinburgh snatched victory by the barest of margins at the Hive Stadium. 26-23.
There was no doubt that the visitors had played well, but Edinburgh, as this team often does, found a way to win. Such an enthralling game deserved a dramatic finish, and the Edinburgh boys provided it, with memories that will last long into the future.
Image credits: Tom Rea