Edinburgh earn crucial win

Edinburgh gained revenge for last week's 16-9 defeat to effectively end Bath's Heineken Cup hopes for another year with a 9-6 success at Murrayfield.

A hard-fought victory for the Scots takes them level with Ulster and Stade Francais at the top of Pool 4, with the match between that pair called off on Saturday.

Edinburgh had captain Chris Paterson to thank for a man-of-the-match display as he penned Bath inside their own half for long periods with precise tactical kicking in difficult conditions.

The match was in doubt midway through the first half as heavy snow made conditions treacherous, but they made it through to the interval and the blizzard moved away thereafter.

Impetus

Paterson began as he meant to go on with a fine kick to the corner after Bath fumbled to drop-out, giving his side the impetus to win an early penalty that he converted from plum in front.

The visitors soon had the chance to equalise when Ross Rennie was caught handling on the floor, but Nicky Little's penalty attempt hit the base of the post and Edinburgh cleared their lines.

Scrum-half Greg Laidlaw made the first clean break after 12 minutes and the ball was moved wide to Ben Cairns, who had the Bath defence retreating as his grubber kick bounced over Nick Abendanon.

However, despite good pressure Edinburgh were unable to capitalise and Bath finally gained a foothold in the match after 19 minutes as they made their first meaningful foray into opposition territory.

Sleet, which soon turned to snow, turned the match from one of colourful open play to a gritty affair as players struggled to come to terms with an impossibly slippery ball.

Little levelled after Edinburgh were penalised in the ruck on 22 minutes and with the visitors getting on top another error was forced, although the Fiji fly-half was unable to put his side in the lead.

But two minutes later Little made amends with the hosts coming over the top, slotting from the 10m line as the Murrayfield turf turned white.

The Magners League side went on the attack and were brought to a halt by Luke Watson, who was unfortunate to be penalised for handling and Paterson was able to send the sides in 6-6 at the break.

Possession

With conditions much improved in the second half, play became more open again with Edinburgh looking the more likely to score as they put Bath under the pump once more.

Another Paterson bomb put Bath under pressure on their own line but despite a 13-phase run of possession the hosts were held at bay thanks to some sterling work from the Bath front row.

It still looked like the hosts were most likely to take the lead entering the final quarter with Phil Godman and Nick De Luca involved in several eye-catching moves.

Paterson's thoughtful kicking from the hand kept the momentum up and it was the Scotland international who kicked his side into the lead on his 50th Heineken Cup appearance 10 minutes from time.

Bath hit back with purpose as they kept the ball at close quarters, and although Watson won a penalty replacement Ryan Davis was unable to bring the sides level from around 47m.

Jack Cuthbert was the next to have a pot at goal after the hosts had turned a scrum but while he had the length the ball drifted left of the uprights.

Paterson gave Godman the chance to double the lead from beyond the 40m mark but his attempt fell some way short, although it meant little in the end as Edinburgh comfortably held on for the win.

Bath now need to win their last two matches and hope other results fall into place if they are to progress to the knockout phase.