Edinburgh outgun Ospreys

Depleted Ospreys given a lesson at Murrayfield

Last updated: 28th November 2008

Paterson: Edinburgh leader

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Edinburgh survived a second-half scare to stave off the challenge of a depleted Ospreys at Murrayfield, winning 32-16 in the Magners League on Friday.

It was a confidence boost for Andy Robinson's side in the build up to the Heineken Cup double-header against Wasps.

But at times they made heavy weather of dealing with a team who were without many of their frontline stars.

Edinburgh could not have wished for a brighter start as they surged ahead with barely 60 seconds on the clock.

Luca score

Nick De Luca may have missed out on getting among the tries for Scotland during the November Test series, but he wasted no time in making up for his barren spell.

Back-row pair Ross Rennie and Ally Hogg inflicted the initial damage before De Luca plunged over in the corner.

Chris Paterson calmly added the extra points to leave the Ospreys shell shocked.

The Gunners retained the upper hand, although they surrendered some impetus when Matthew Jarvis landed a penalty to claw back three points for the Ospreys.

Paterson replied in identical fashion and his penalty duel with Jarvis continued as the visiting marksman kept the margin to four points.

It was end-to-end action and Edinburgh stretched their advantage again midway through the half, as Phil Godman clipped over an opportunist drop-goal.

And Paterson struck again almost immediately to open up a useful 10-point cushion.

He completed his treble six minutes later to put the capital side firmly in control.

Tempo

Edinburgh stepped up the tempo in the approach to the interval, and they delivered a further dent to the Ospreys when prop Geoff Cross claimed the second try from point-blank range - converted by the confident Paterson.

Despite their plight, Ospreys opted to go for goal with a penalty four minutes after the restart, and Jarvis notched his treble to keep their slim hopes alive.

Even better was to come for the Welsh side when Scotland winger Nikki Walker scorched over for a top-notch try after a sizzling handling sequence involving at least six men.

Jarvis added the conversion to heap more pressure on the Gunners.

And there was further trouble for Edinburgh when Cross was yellow-carded for side entry at the breakdown.

But the Ospreys revival was halted as Paterson banged over his fifth penalty.