Paterson inspires Edinburgh

Chris Paterson scored 28 points for Edinburgh in a 43-3 mauling of the Newport Gwent Dragons at Murrayfield on Saturday to keep alive hopes of a top-three finish.

For an hour, the hosts had to rely on the boot of the Scotland star before the Welsh resistence was finally broken when substitute John Houston pounced for the first try on 57 minutes - and then it was an avalanche.

Paterson collected a remarkable haul, which included a 77th minute touchown to help make sure of the precious bonus point and gain coach Andy Robinson's first win against the Dragons since joining the club.

Tension

The opening quarter was a disjointed and jittery affair, with neither side able to carve out a single clear-cut scoring opportunity.

Dragons edged in front after less than two minutes when Jason Tovey slotted a simple kick, but Paterson quickly levelled with another close-range effort that just wobbled over the crossbar.

Paterson was on target again midway through the half as Aled Brew was penalised for kicking the ball away in dissent and the Six Nations star completed his treble after a maul offence as Edinburgh applied pressure.

Stroll

Paterson continued to rack up the points after the restart, taking his penalty tally to five as the scrappy action continued.

His first of the half was a 40-metre thump for off-side, then he chipped over from point-blank range when the Dragons defence killed the ball.

Houston powered over following a quick tapped penalty by skipper Mike Blair, Paterson goaling from a wide angle.

And he was spot on yet again when another substitute, soon-to-be retired scrum-half Ben Meyer, wriggled through seconds after entering the fray.

Paterson grabbed his try in the wake of an interception by Ally Hogg - and Ben Cairns completed the rout with another steal, both were converted by Paterson.