Edinburgh’s second half charge sinks sorry Bath

By BRYN PALMER

Edinburgh ……..41pts

Tries: Boffelli 10, 63, Kinghorn 31, Schoeman 53, Bennett 69, Boyle 78

Conversions: Boffelli 32, 54, 64, 79

Penalties: Boffelli 23

Bath ………………..19pts

Tries: Underhill 2, 26, Spencer 35

Conversions: Bailey 3, Spencer 35

EDINBURGH surged past Bath with a devastating second-half display to book a home European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wasps.

Two tries from England flanker Sam Underhill and another from Ben Spencer helped the English Premiership side into a 19-15 half-time lead,

Emiliano Boffelli and the impressive Blair Kinghorn replying for the hosts.

But Edinburgh blew the visitors away in the final half-hour with further scores from Pierre Schoeman, Boffelli, Mark Bennett and Connor Boyle.

Bath started brightly and had a try on the board inside two minutes when Underhill was sent through a yawning gap. When prop Valery Mozorov was held short, Underhill burrowed his way over.

Bailey converted but that was his only success with the boot, the fly-half off target with two penalty attempts and a conversion.

His wayward radar inadvertently brought the visitors their second score however, when his penalty attempt struck an upright and bounced towards the Edinburgh line. The ever-alert Underhill sprinted in to get a touch at the back of an unprotected ruck and after consultation with the TMO, the try was awarded.

Edinburgh had briefly led when Boffelli landed a penalty to make it 8-7, the Argentine wing having scored the hosts' first points when he finished off a flowing move, Kinghorn accelerating onto James Lang's pass to put him over.

The same combination brought a splendid second Edinburgh try when centre Lang, operating again at first receiver, sent Kinghorn haring away for a score that Boffelli converted for a 15-12 lead.

But Bath had the last word of the first half, Spencer darting over from close range before assuming the kicking duties from Bailey to land the extras.

The lead changed hands for a fifth and decisive time after 53 minutes when another Kinghorn break sparked Edinburgh. His offload sent Schoeman on a barrelling charge and when lock Marshall Sykes was held short, Schoeman ploughed over, Boffelli's conversion making it 22-19.

Ten minutes later the Argentine took Edinburgh 10 points clear when he converted his own second try and Bennett effectively sealed victory when he muscled past several defenders in the left corner. Boyle added further gloss with the sixth and final try late on.