RaboDirect PRO12: Edinburgh battle to victory over Treviso
Edinburgh gained their second victory of the RaboDirect PRO12 season with victory over Treviso in a mediocre match.
Last Updated: 25/10/13 10:22pm
The hosts dominated territory and possession but were undermined by individual errors, although Greig Tonks and Willem Nel crossed either side of the break, with Greig Laidlaw kicking both conversions and two penalties.
Treviso stuck to their task and were worthy of the losing bonus point - Luke McLean scoring a second-half try which was converted by fellow sub Tobias Botes, who also kicked a penalty.
Edinburgh made a focused start from receiving the kick-off but when their success in retaining the ball through many phases seemed to be on the point of reward, Laidlaw lost the ball forward in going over the line.
However Edinburgh were not deterred and further crisp passing ended with flanker Dimitri Basilaia putting full-back Tonks over in the corner. Harry Leonard converted from touch.
The game had already been rendered stop-start by a series of injuries before, in 23 minutes, Edinburgh's high scoring winger Tim Visser went down, tackled in midfield, and referee Alain Rolland immediately stopped play.
After a prolonged break Visser was taken from the field on a stretcher - and his involvement in Scotland's forthcoming autumn internationals looks highly doubtful.
Edinburgh continued to dominate possession but were let down by errors when they entered the danger zone.
Treviso had the chance to pull back three points in 33 minutes, Edinburgh failing to release visiting full-back Brendan Williams when his dodging run was stopped - however James Ambrosini's kick missed.
But the Edinburgh drop out was charged down, Treviso remained on the attack and when Edinburgh went offside Ambrosini slipped the easy kick home.
In the final minute another Edinburgh attack foundered on an error but Treviso brought down the resulting scrum so the half finished with Laidlaw's penalty and the hosts went in leading 10-3.
In 55 minutes Edinburgh raised the level of second half play and were rewarded with a penalty kicked by Laidlaw.
However six minutes later Treviso drove a lineout and the subsequent pressure ended with a try from McLean, converted by Botes.
In 67 minutes McLean kicked Treviso's second penalty to tie the scores - but with six minutes remaining Nel burrowed over for Edinburgh's decisive second try and Laidlaw converted.