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Edinburgh foiled by floodlight failure

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Published Date: 19 November 2008
EDINBURGH'S match with Georgia ended prematurely last night when it was abandoned following the failure of the Meggetland floodlights after just 26 minutes.


By that stage the hosts had built up a 19-0 lead over their disappointing international visitors and had dominated most of the match.

The abrupt ending was an annoyance for all concerned, but safety must come first. Edinburgh coach Andy Robin
son will have been impressed by a number of his fringe players, notably scrum-half Greig Laidlaw, and will have been pleased with fit-again back-row Ross Rennie's two tries.

The Scotland cap has only played 20 minutes in one Magners League match this term along with last week's back-up game against Glasgow, but looked sharp enough in the time played to suggest that he will be back in Robinson's squad when Magners League action resumes next Friday at Murrayfield against the Ospreys.

Rennie said: "We are disappointed (with the abandonment] because we were all enjoying it. We felt like we were playing some good stuff and putting together some good phases and while it was pleasing to get two tries they both came from short range. I am just glad to be back playing."

Edinburgh showed their intent right from kick off at Boroughmuir's ground when they ran the ball at the Georgians at the first attempt. Scrum-half Laidlaw looked sharp in the early exchanges and it was fitting that he got the first try of the evening.

After some strong runs by a couple of forwards, the Scotland Sevens cap took the ball from the edge of a ruck on the visitors' line and dived over with stand-off David Blair converting. Six minutes later Rennie then marked his return to competitive action with a similar try, but this time Blair could not add the extras.

Most of the play continued in the Georgia half up until the 20-minute mark with Edinburgh asserting pressure in the scrum just as Scotland A did against the same opposition last Friday evening at Firhill.

Rennie went on to add his second try of the match after 25 minutes from 10 metres after Blair had set him up with a jinking run. The floodlights then went off a minute later and after an 18-minute wait, proceedings were called to a halt.

Scorers: Tries: Laidlaw, Rennie 2. Cons: Blair 2

Edinburgh: J Thompson; M Teague, J Houston, C MacRae, A Turnbull; D Blair, G Laidlaw; K Traynor, A Kelly, G Kerr, B Gissing, C Hamilton, S Newlands, S Cross, R Rennie. Substitutes (none used): S Lawrie, S Crombie, R Grant, B McNeil, F McKenzie, N Patrick, B Meyer, A Easson, M Dey, R Reid.

Georgia: L Malagurdze; G Shkinin, D Kacharava, L Khmaladze, I Machkhaneli; M Kvirikashvili, B Samkharadze; D Gasviani, D Dadunashvili, G Kavtidze, I Zedginidze, K Uchava, S Maisuradze, B Udesiani, R Urushadze. Substitutes (none used): I Natriashvili, K Aseishvili, S Sutiashvili, D Basilaia, I Abuseridze, A Todua, I Chkhikvadze, K Vasil, B Otar.

Referee: P Allan.





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  • Last Updated: 18 November 2008 10:56 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

JonnyS,

Edinburgh 19/11/2008 09:04:04
real shame it was cut short, it was shaping up to be a really fun evening! And nice to be in a small ground with the smell of the grass - if only it could house about 10000 more it would be perfect to grow into (apart from the whole floodlights not working thing!)
2

J.A.,

19/11/2008 15:12:56
Is it not about time some of these games are played off down in the Borders, the SRU are happy to pay football clubs in Aberdeen and Glasgow for use of their grounds while grounds they actually have a contract on are left unused.
The attitude of the SRU appears to be to suffocate borders rugby. There is a stand-off between the SRU and Gala regarding the use of Netherdale. As I understand it, the SRU are trying to wriggle out of their contract with Gala and until Gala submits to their pressure, Gala will not have use of their pitch other than at times dictated by the SRU. Off course, head of this particular SRU committee is Jim Fleming (boroughmuir).
3

the bard,

edinburgh 19/11/2008 15:46:39
J.A.- agreed with your comments right up until your last word- what does the fact the Jim Fleming being a Boroughmuir member have to do with it??? I agree that Jim can sometimes be as much use as a chocolate fireguard, but you seem to be insinuating that it is because he is a member of a city/ Edinburgh club that he is acting in such a way.

As i say i agree that it would seem more sense to take these games- and in indeed the likes of the Canada game at the weekend (if they could get the crowd)- to historical rugby strongholds and give a bit back.
4

J.A.,

Gala 19/11/2008 16:10:02
#3
It does not make much sense to be squabbling with Gala when they are happy to rent a football ground.
I'm not trying to take rugby away from the North but since the SRU pulled the plug on the Borders they appear to be doing their level best to prevent the development of rugby down here.
The future of rugby in any area is with the youth, if the youth are being deprived of the opportunity to watch top players, they are less likely to get hooked on rugby. I remember as a youngster being privileged enough to watch club rugby which included plenty of internationals, South games against other districts and touring teams and of course cheep visits to Murrayfileld. Many youngsters in the Borders do not come from a privileged background and do not have many opportunities to watch pro rugby.
What is the SRU’s long term objective?
5

MT,

19/11/2008 20:50:16
#2 The reason they did it is probably because Borders people refused to support the Borders pro team, so I think it wouldnt make sense to try and state an international there.
6

JBA,

19/11/2008 21:44:35
#5. Glasgow still don't get the crowds. Did you see the A side against Georgia on TV, looked to be lucky if there was a couple of hundred in the ground, although the official attendance said to be 1100.(no way). South of Scotland could attract close on 10000 when touring teams visited the Borders.
7

J.A.,

20/11/2008 08:49:11
MT
You and some of your likes blatter out the same old stuff about the Borders not supporting their pro team. What is wrong with you? don't you see that both Edinburgh and Glasgow have poor crowds? Are you living in a bubble?
Anyway, if the SRU are making decisions like you say " because Borders people refused to support the Borders pro team" are they not cutting off their nose to spite their face? The SRU's purpose is to try and develop the game, and if that involves building bridges; so be it.
This debacle over Netherdale appears to be doing nothing for the development of rugby and let’s face it; the SRU cannot afford to lose any more support!
8

Big Smoke,

21/11/2008 10:57:58
Why don't you folk from the borders just jump on your trackers and drive up to Edinburgh to see the games, it is a bit of a drive for the other sheep lovers from up north to drive to, it's good to be developing rugby up there. The Borders want it all but seem unable to hold their heads up and do something about it.
9

J.A.,

21/11/2008 11:46:31
BIG SMOKE.
What’s a “tracker”
Since when did the Borders want it all? Please expand.
10

The Borderer,

21/11/2008 15:28:16
Arguing that the lack of support to the Borders means a Scotland A or age level game can't be played in the south is stupidity.

The failure to support the borders came from the locals worried they were putting money into Gala and being more interested in their club team. I think many of the borders people would happily go and watch a national team play and get bigger crowds than what Glasgow and Aberdeen offer.

 

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