FT
EDINBURGH 34
BULLS 28
The home side came into this quarter-final on the back of an inconsistent run in their URC campaign, winning only two of their last five games. The Bulls even though they are in similar form, winning three out of their previous four games, sit five spots above Edinburgh with the play offs well in their sights. Only two changes for Edinburgh with Ashman and Venter starting whilst Cherry and Schoeman are benched. The only change for the Bulls was the return of club captain Ruan Nortje from injury.
With a fourteen-point lead at half-time we saw a very driven and intelligent Edinburgh team on both sides of the ball during the first half. They took every opportunity to put their opponents on the backfoot. Their level of physicality and attacking ability was at a level we have rarely seen this season. While the Bulls appeared disjointed and were unable to piece together anything more than a couple of opportunistic scraps of broken play.
The second half was a bit of a shakier one for Sean Everitt’s men as Bulls came to life following a set of strong substitutions and put the home side under serious pressure. Players such as Canan Moodie and Cameron Hanekom were able to give the Bulls a much-needed boost that brought the game to within a try. It wasn’t enough however as some strong defensive work by Edinburgh allowed them to hold on and progress to the semi-finals.
Edinburgh struck first with Currie running an excellent short line off Lang, Lang was able to stay in support and receiving the ball back from Currie to score under the posts. Thompson was successful in the conversion 7-0
Bulls’ scrumhalf Zak Burger received a yellow card in the eighth minute after a deliberate knock on during an offload attempt by Lang.
Shortly after Ben Vellacott was denied a good snipe at the tryline after an unsuccessful maul and strong carries by the forwards.
A quick tap and tip on by Venter to Bradbury pushed Edinburgh’s score further. Thompson successfully converted 14-0 13”.
Bulls replied immediately with a lineout maul which led to some loose play that Vorster capitalised on. It was then a simple two on one with David Kriel receiving the ball and narrowly dotting it down. Johannes converted 14-7 16”.
Edinburgh put the Bulls through a good chain of phases for it to be finished by Lang who found himself back with the ball after an attempt to kick through rebounded right back into his hands. Successful conversion 21-7 23” Edinburgh.
Ross Thompson penalty – 24-7 37”.
HT: EDINBURGH 24 – 7 BULLS
Edinburgh started the half with just one change as Vellacott went off for Price
The bulls doubled up after halftime bringing on Marco van Staden for Simphiwe Matanzima and Jan-Hendrik Wessels on for Keagan Johannes.
The Bulls picked up a further yellow card after a dangerous tackle by Jannes Kirsten – 41”
Edinburgh’s third try came from an Ashman line break after he received the ball off the lineout however, he was brought down just short of the line. The ball was shifted wide, but it was Gilchrist who eventually leaped over for the try. Successful conversion by Thompson – 31-7 45”.
Canan Moodie had an instant impact after coming on to the field for Sergeal Petersen, who picked up an injury early in the second half. Moodie was at the centre of multiple scoring opportunities and showed immense composure under the high ball.
The bulls pulled themselves closer to Edinburgh with a Penalty try from Akker Van der Merwe which resulted in a yellow for Ross McCann – 31-14 47”.
Cameron Hanekom went over to close the gap between them and Edinburgh after Stravino Jacobs ran over the top of Graham. Successful conversion by Goosen 31-21 48”
Thompson continued his success from the tee with a penalty – 34 -21 59”.
Edinburgh were only able to hold back the bulls for so long, after holding up one attempt Bulls put themselves in a promising position to steal the game as David Kriel saw the opportunity to pick and go right in front of Edinburgh’s line. Successful conversion – 34-28 77”.
Sean Everitt when asked if he was never in doubt that the team would get the job done:
“I wouldn’t say that. The Bulls are a dangerous team with the power that they have up front. Getting a big lead at half-time did help us, obviously”
“We took our opportunities in the first half and that’s what you need to do against a team like this because they do have the ability to come back. We had an 80% completion rate when we got into their 22 and that’s vital. It’s not often that you can peg them in their 22 and when you get there you’ve got to make use of it”
Everitt commented on the quality of the bulls’ side:
“To be honest, I don’t think they can put a better team on the park apart from maybe a Cobus Wiese but that is arguable.”
Sean had the following to say about their potential opponents in the semi-final:
“Gloucester are really good with ball in hand. We played them earlier in the year at home and then obviously Bath are the form team by far and a powerhouse team. So whoever comes out at the top there tomorrow will be ready for the challenge.”
Edinburgh will now look to bring the same form to their return to URC action as they play the Sharks at home next Friday in round 14.
FT: EDINBURGH 34 – 28 BULLS
Scoring: 5-0, 7-0, 12-0,14-0,14-7,21-7, 24-7,31-7, 31-21, 34-21, 34-28
MOTM – Magnus Bradbury
Teams
Edinburgh –
B.Venter, E.Ashman, J.Sebastian, S.Skinner, G.Gilchrist(CC), J.Ritchie, H.Watson, M.Bradbury, B.Vellacott (CC), R.Thompson, R.McCann, J.Lang, M.Currie, D.Graham, W.Goosen, D.Cherry, D.Rae, R.Carmichael, B.Muncaster, A.Price, C.Scott, M.Tuipulotu
Bulls –
S.Matanzima, A.van der Merwe, W.Louw, R.Nortje (cc) JF.van Heerden Marcell C.Jannes Kirsten, C.Hanekom (cc), Z.Burger, K.Johannes, S.Jacobs, H.Vorster, D.Kriel, S.Petersen, D.Williams, J.Grobbelaar J-H.Wessels, M.Smith, R.Ludwig M.van Staden, E, Papier, J.Goosen, C.Moodie
