RaboDirect PRO12: Edinburgh end season on high with Dragons win
Edinburgh signed off their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign with a 31-24 victory over the Dragons at Murrayfield.
Last Updated: 03/05/13 11:15pm
Edinburgh had looked to be cruising when they entered the final quarter with a 31-10 lead after tries from Greig Tonks, Greig Laidlaw and Netani Talei, with Laidlaw kicking the rest of the points.
However, Dragons, who had led through an early try from Steffan Jones, profited from some poor defending and a wayward pass that produced late tries for Dan Lydiate and Tom Prydie, who contributed the rest of his side's points with the boot.
The defeat ensures Dragons finish the season second from bottom in the league table - one place behind Edinburgh and with only Zebre below them.
Dragons started well and struck with an opportunist score after four minutes, with Toby Faletau powering into the home 22 before offloading to Jones, who dived in between the posts for the opening score. Prydie added the extras.
Quick response
The lead lasted 10 minutes before the home side tied matters when Harry Leonard delivered a delightful chip into the arms of Tonks, who touched down and left Laidlaw a simple conversion.
The home skipper then gave his side the lead when he dived over from a close-range ruck and Talei then powered through two tackles before plunging over for a try in his final appearance for the club before moving to the Dragons.
Sean Cox and Andrew Coombs were yellow carded after a punch up and Dragons were further depleted when Ross Wardle was sent for 10 minutes in the cooler following a dangerous tackle that presented Laidlaw with a penalty which he steered between the sticks.
The same player then kicked three more penalties either side of the break to seemingly put the hosts in total control, before Lydiate raced over for a try which Prydie converted.
And the winger hauled his side right back into the contest when he latched on to a loose pass from Nick De Luca inside the Dragons half and galloped over before converting, but Edinburgh held on for a welcome success.