Sexton steals the win for Leinster
A last minutes drop goal from replacement Jonny Sexton dramatically ended Edinburgh unbeaten start to the new season and handed Leinster a massive moral-boosting victory on Saturday night at Murrayfield.
Sexton, on at the start of the second half for flyhalf Shaun Berne, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat just a minute after Chris Paterson had put the Gunners ahead with his fourth successful penalty of the night.
There was only one try on the night – coming for Edinburgh through centre Ben Cairns – as Fergus McFadden and Paterson dominated the scoring with their work from the kicking tee.
McFadden, filling in for Brian O’Driscoll at outside centre, slotted six successful penalties on the night and played a massive roll for his side in helping them secure their third win of the new season.
A tight first half saw neither side really able to establish dominance and ended with the teams tied at 6-all and Leinster prop forward Cian Healy in the sin-bin.
McFadden started the scoring again in the second half after just two minutes before, following Healy’s example, McLeod went for a spell in the bin.
His exit handed McFadden chance number four and Leinster a six point lead.
It didn’t take long for Edinburgh to respond though. Sitting top of the table for a reason, the Gunners scored the games only try just seven minutes into the second period and took the lead following a successful Paterson conversion.
McFadden pushed the Irish Province 18-13 clear with penalties in the 62nd and 66th minutes only for Paterson to respond with two of his own on 71 and 79 minutes.
His last effort, taking the score to 19-18, looked the killer blow but Sexton had other ideas.
The young flyhalf, who impressed in last seasons Heineken Cup final, did it again and slotted a snap drop goal to put the visitors into the lead as time ran out on the clock.
Edinburgh remain on top of the table thanks to a losing bonus point but the win for Leinster sees them climb up into second place.
The Scorers
For Edinburgh
Tries: Cairns
Pen: Paterson 4
Cons: Paterson
For Leinster
Pen: McFadden 6
DG: Sexton
Yellow Cards: Cian Healy (Leinster – 35 min), Scott McLeod (Edinburgh – 45 min)
The Teams
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair (captain), 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Kyle Traynor.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Alan Jacobsen, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Steve Turnbull, 20 Scott Newlands, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 John Houston.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen, 3 Stan Wright, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Devin Toner, 19 Shane Jennings, 20 Simon Keogh, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Girvan Dempsey.
Referee: Tim Hayes (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Graham Knox (SRU), Bob Nevins (SRU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU).
