Edinburgh back to winning ways

 

After a cagey opening, the game burst into life with two tries in two minutes from Mike Coman and Scott before Andries Strauss' score after the break gave Treviso a mountain to climb.

 

Simone Ragusi did cut the deficit when he crossed the whitewash but Scott went over for the bonus-point try as Edinburgh moved within one point of seventh-placed Scarlets and just four points behind Connacht in sixth.

 

Alan Solomons made eight changes to his starting XV as he welcomed a number of players back from international duty including the likes of Scott, Ben Toolis and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

 

But the returning stars struggled to make an impact in the early stages of the game as a scrappy, penalty-ridden opening quarter failed to demonstrate the type of scintillating rugby both teams are capable of producing.

 

It was fitting then that the opening try of the game came not from a moment of individual brilliance but after an inexorable driving maul.

 

The Edinburgh pack flexed their muscles and pushed all the way over the Treviso line – Coman having the simple task of touching down for the five points.

 

Hidalgo-Clyne nailed the extras and within a minute that 7-0 lead was doubled as this time Scott was on hand to dot down.

 

With the visiting forwards still dominating proceedings up front, it seemed inevitable that Solomons' troops would extend their advantage but Treviso fullback Jayden Hayward got his side on the board from the tee five minutes before the break.

 

Hidalgo-Clyne restored the 14-point lead with a penalty of his own two minutes later before Hayward put a three-point opportunity wide on the stroke of half-time.

 

With Umberto Casellato's half-time instructions still ringing in their ears, Treviso flew out of the blocks after the break, surging forward and setting up camp in the Edinburgh 22.

 

But after opting to kick to the corner instead of taking a guaranteed three points, they knocked the ball on with the try-line seemingly at their mercy.

 

And after weathering the Italian storm, the visitors put the game beyond doubt on 60 minutes – inside centre Strauss crossing the whitewash.

 

To their credit, the hosts responded and Ragusi touched down for the score that their continued forages forward warranted, narrowing the deficit to 22-8.

 

But it was Edinburgh who had the final say as Scott notched his second try of the evening to wrap up the bonus point and edge his side closer to that final automatic European Champions Cup spot.

 

 

Try: Ragusi

Pen: Hayward

 

Tries: Scott 2, Watson, Strauss

Cons: Hidalgo-Clyne 3

Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne

 

 

Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Simone Ragusi, 13 Andrea Pratichetti, 12 Sam Christie, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 James Ambrosini, 9 Alberto Lucchese, 8 Mat Luamanu, 7 Dean Budd, 6 Marco Barbini, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 Antonio Pavanello (captain), 3 Salesi Manu, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Matteo Zanusso.

Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Romulo Acosta, 18 Rupert Harden, 19 Meyer Swanepoel, 20 Nicola Cattina, 21 Paul Derbyshire, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Henry Seniloli.

 

Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Matt Scott, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 David Denton, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Mike Coman (captain), 5 Ben Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 WP Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Rory Sutherland.

Replacements: 16 Neil Cochrane, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 John Andress, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Roddy Grant, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Nick McLennan, 23 Sam Beard.

 

Referee: Nigel Owens