Edinburgh Rugby survive thrilling Benetton revival as new Scotland cap finally makes club bow

Capital side chalk up 50 points in URC return

Edinburgh were made to work against Benetton as they held on for a thrilling 50-33 victory in one of the most entertaining games of the United Rugby Championship season.

The hosts made things hard for themselves by letting a 35-0 half-time slip and they needed a late rally to make the game safe.

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They started well with wing Duhan van der Merwe scoring in the corner with his first touch after just 65 seconds. Back-row forward Ben Muncaster got a second try that was quickly followed by two in a row from Magnus Bradbury to give his side a 28-0 lead after just 24 minutes. They added their fifth just before the break through prop Paul Hill.

Edinburgh Rugby defeated Benetton 50-33 at Hive Stadium.Edinburgh Rugby defeated Benetton 50-33 at Hive Stadium.
Edinburgh Rugby defeated Benetton 50-33 at Hive Stadium. | SNS Group

The Italian outfit were much better in the second half after getting a rocket from their coach Marco Bortolami at the interval. They got a try through Paolo Odogwu in what was their first attack of the match then replacement hooker Augustin Creevy crossed for a quickfire double.

Conceding 19 points in less than 20 second-half minutes forced Edinburgh to buck up their ideas and there was a sigh of relief when Ali Price got their sixth try.

There was still fight in Benetton who got their fourth touchdown thanks to Alessandro Izekor to earn them a losing point.

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It was a special game for 19-year-old Freddy Douglas, who made his professional debut for Edinburgh when he replaced Magnus Bradbury after the Italian’s fourth try. In a unique situation, Douglas’ maiden club appearance came three weeks after making his Scotland debut against Portugal three weeks ago.

Benetton got their fifth try to make Edinburgh nervous again when Malakai Fekitoa went in under the posts with 10 minutes left. Only a second try of the game from Muncaster and a penalty from Ben Healy ended Benetton’s second-half fightback.

Freddy Douglas made his Edinburgh debut.Freddy Douglas made his Edinburgh debut.
Freddy Douglas made his Edinburgh debut. | SNS Group

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said: “I’m proud of the guys in the way they put 50 points on against a good Treviso team. I’m disappointed in the fact that we didn’t hold them out for longer periods.

“But to score three tries into a gale-force wind like this, it’s credit to the boys and the urgency that they showed on the pitch.

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“To walk away with a win and 50 points, I’m extremely happy. In difficult conditions like this, when you’re under the pump and the team’s on a roll and having that wind behind them, it’s about being calm.

“I think Gilco was outstanding with his leadership.”

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