'Win over Benetton cause for celebration not criticism'

sandy smith - fan writer

Tue, 3 Dec 2024, 11:32 am·2-min read

Edinburgh's match against Benetton on Saturday was one of two halves. It was also a game of wind and two sets of emotions. At the end of the night it was one win, five points and a climb to seventh in the table.

Despite the outcome of the game delivering every tangible reward, there will be criticism as the second half came with a level of jeopardy that was entirely absent in the first period.

For those who watched the game from the comfort of their sofas the wind was strong and while that can't be the whole story of why the momentum completely changed hands the fact was that at the final whistle Edinburgh did a better job overall and took away all the rewards that were available.

Jamie Ritchie was the official man of the match but there were several contenders for that honour. Ben Muncaster was outstanding. He scored two tries that currently have him as Edinburgh's top scorer for the season so far. He was also the top tackler in the game.

Wes Goosen has been ever-present for Edinburgh this season and had another strong game at full-back. Paul Hill has been a great signing to replace the legendary WP Nel and it was great to see him get his debut try.

In the first half I wondered if Duhan van der Merwe had been hypnotised pre-match into thinking he was playing for Scotland such was his level of contribution and in the second half Darcy Graham took up that mantle with his mazey running vital in ensuring the win for Edinburgh.

I'm not going to pretend that this win means all is well with Edinburgh but despite our travails only Leinster and Glasgow have scored more tries this season. We also have more bonus points with 11 games still to play than we did in the whole of last season.

I started with the 'game of two halves' cliche and I'll finish with another. This is a tough league and when you end a match weekend four places higher in the table after a five-point, seven-try win against a side we've not beaten since 2022 then that's cause for celebration not criticism.