Laidlaw ruins homecoming

Late drop goal gives Edinburgh the win at Arms Park

Last updated: 7th September 2012  

Laidlaw ruins homecoming

Greg Laidlaw: Late drop goal secured the win for Edinburgh in Cardiff

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Greg Laidlaw's late drop goal ruined Cardiff Blues' return to the Arms Park as Edinburgh ran out 21-19 winners in the RaboDirect Pro12.

The Blues had spent three years plying their trade at the Cardiff City Stadium but sparse crowds saw them cut short their 20-year lease to return to their spiritual home.

It was a move welcomed by supporters and they duly showed their approval by turning up in droves - the crowd of 7,800 was over 2,000 up on their average attendance last season.

On the pitch, the home side initially failed to rise to the occasion, falling behind to a Tim Visser try after the two sides had swapped early penalties.

The metronomic boot of Leigh Halfpenny ensured Blues reached half time with a 9-8 lead but it was not until the second half that the game really caught fire.

Sensational

Edinburgh nearly retook the lead as Visser chipped through only to run out of pitch as he attempted to ground the ball whilst at the other end Tom James was unlucky to slip as attempted to cut inside following a sensational break out of his own 22.

The home side eventually made the breakthrough after Edinburgh's Greig Tonks had been yellow carded, Alex Cuthbert slipping in underneath the posts and Halfpenny kicking the extras (50).

However, a Blues' yellow card for Josh Navidi allowed the visitors to ratchet up the pressure and they were rewarded with a penalty try on the hour mark.

A further Halfpenny penalty preserved the slenderest of leads for Cardiff and they were within two minutes of victory when Laidlaw struck to give Edinburgh their first win of the season.

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