Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Benetton snags victory as last-gasp Edinburgh drop goal goes awry

By PA
Marco Zanon passes for Benetton. Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Toulouse-bound Blair Kinghorn scored a double on his farewell outing but his last home match for boyhood club Edinburgh ended in disappointment as his late error gifted visitors Benetton a 24-22 victory.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was announced on Friday that the 26-year-old Scotland full-back will join the Top 14 champions after next weekend’s visit to Ulster, and for a long period of the night he looked on course to be the hero as his two tries – either side of a score from Matt Currie – had the Scots in the driving seat in this BKT United Rugby Championship game.

But, in a cruel twist, Kinghorn’s 68th-minute mistake allowed Benetton centre Marco Zanon to score his second try of the night and edged the Italians into a slender lead they held on to until the end.

Edinburgh started strongly and – after Duhan van der Merwe squandered a second-minute chance – Kinghorn had the home crowd in raptures as he darted over in the third minute after being fed on the right by Ben Healy, who subsequently added the extras.

The hosts were forced into a change when Dave Cherry went off injured and was replaced by fellow Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman.

Edinburgh continued on the front foot and after James Lang had a score ruled out following a TMO review, they got their second try in the 14th minute when Currie eased his way over from close range after being played in by a perfect kick out to the left from Healy. The stand-off was off target with his conversion attempt.

Both sides then had tries chalked off following TMO reviews, with Benetton’s Malakai Fekitoa penalised for a knock-on as he tried to force the ball down before Currie’s effort for Edinburgh was ruled out due to a forward-pass by Kinghorn.

ADVERTISEMENT

Benetton got themselves back into the game with a sensational solo score from Ignacio Mendy in the 32nd minute as the wing grabbed the ball five metres in front of his own try-line and raced almost the full length of the pitch unchecked, leaving Healy in his wake as he surged over the line. Jacob Umaga converted.

Four minutes later an Umaga penalty brought the Italians within two points of their hosts.

In the last action of the half Edinburgh reasserted their authority as Kinghorn bolted in for his second of the evening after good build-up play from Healy, Van der Merwe and Wes Goosen. Healy converted to open up a nine-point lead at the interval.

But Benetton hit back early in the second half as Zanon pushed his way through after a lineout, with Umaga converting.

Having lost their way following their bright opening to the match, Edinburgh moved five points clear in the 54th minute with a penalty from Healy after Benetton sub Mirco Spagnolo was yellow-carded for collapsing the maul.

ADVERTISEMENT

But the Italians managed to get ahead for the first time in the 68th minute when Kinghorn got in a terrible tangle just in front of his own line and fumbled the ball into the path of Zanon who dotted down for his second try. Umaga was again on point with the conversion.

The visitors had Eli Snyman sent off for a head-on-head tackle on Van der Merwe with two minutes left but Edinburgh – who would have gone top of the table with a win – were unable to muster the score they needed, with Healy sending a last-gasp drop-goal attempt wide.

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

England vs Spain | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | Second Match | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Ireland vs Scotland | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Should the Lions’ last-minute try have stood? | Whistle Watch

Play Video

Lions Share | Episode 6

Play Video

KOKO Show | July 29th | George Gregan Stops by to lift spirits after the MCG Madness

Play Video

Historic Lions Series win at the MCG | Ep 7: The Ultimate Test

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Tom 1 hour ago
Damning image of Lion emerges after series win with major backlash online

Well that is scientifically correct but I've never thought of him as being especially short. He seems to be about the same height as Furlong, fairly average prop size. I think his massive quads give the illusion that he's shorter.


https://extra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-70.jpg


Even though squatting the same weight requires more force for someone with longer levers, his max squat may be significantly higher than some other props. There is a vid of him repping out 230kg for a set of 8 and he's reputed to have a 1RM of 350kg so by anyone's standards, regardless of how short you are, that's very strong.

31 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'What are you talking about? Did I just watch a different series' 'What are you talking about? Did I just watch a different series'