Rabo ProDirect12: Edinburgh lose fifth successive match against Cardiff Blues

Rhys Patchell had his kicking boots on in Scotland for Cardiff

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Edinburgh suffered their fifth successive Pro12 defeat with a 17-16 reverse at the hands of Cardiff Blues.

The result was in the balance right to the final whistle as the hosts battled back from a 14-6 half-time deficit. However, they were unable to convert pressure into points and repeat the win they had posted in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.

Cardiff's Rhys Patchell was in flying form, creating a try for Michael Paterson and securing four penalties.

The hosts bagged a try through Willem Nel, converted by Gregor Hunter, who also booted two penalties, while his replacement Harry Leonard slotted one.

Patchell struck twice with his boot in the first 13 minutes, but Edinburgh hit back and narrowly missed out on a score after a wayward pass by Dave Denton.

Hunter, who had missed with two earlier efforts from long distance, finally found the target to trim the deficit, but Patchell responded immediately to restore the six-point advantage.

Patchell showed his hands were as good as his feet when he danced around two Edinburgh defenders as he drifted into the home 22 to offload to

Paterson who touched down before the interval.

The home team made a lively start to the second period and deservedly grabbed a try in the 49th minute when Dougie Fife carried the ball into contact where Nel was on hand to pick up and force his way over.

Hunter converted before making way for Leonard whose first task was to kick the penalty that had the hosts in the lead for the first time.

A Patchell kick had Cardiff's noses in front again and they managed to hold on despite a series of attacks from their opponents, who will be cursing their luck after a string of errors in sight of the line.