Heineken Cup
Edinburgh upset Castres
Scrum.com
October 18, 2008
Date/Time: Oct 18, 2008, 18:30 local, 16:30 GMT
Venue: Stade Pierre-Antoine, Castres
Castres 6 - 13 Edinburgh
Half-time: 6 - 7
Pens: McIntyre 2
Tries: Robertson
Cons: Paterson
Pens: Paterson 2
Chris Paterson of Scotland runs with the ball during the Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on February 9, 2008.
Scotland international Chris Paterson kicked two penalties and a conversion
© Getty Images
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Edinburgh got their Heineken Cup campaign back on track with an impressive 13-6 away victory at Castres.

The Scots notched their first ever Heineken Cup success in France to revive their quest to reach the knock-out stages.

The action was frantic from the outset with the Scots being rocked by three setbacks in quick succession. In the first minute, they were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when they earned a penalty close to the posts.

With Chris Paterson being treated for a leg problem, the kicking duty fell to Phil Godman, who was making his 100th appearance for the side. It was not the most difficult kick at goal, however, he did not connect crisply enough and the angled effort crashed against the upright and rebounded to safety.

Castres capitalised on their good fortune by rattling up six points via two penalties in quick succession from the boot of Cammy McIntyre. Both were awarded for offside in the wake of missed tackles by Edinburgh markers inside their own danger zone - reviving memories of the disastrous Leinster encounter.

And McIntyre's confidence was underlined as he calmly slotted both kicks. Edinburgh replied in positive fashion to create a marvellous try for winger Mark Robertson in the 15th minute. Skipper Mike Blair caught the Castres defence on the hop by taking a quick, tapped penalty close to the half-way line and wide out.

He set Robertson free with a lovely pass and the youngster meandered his way past at least four challengers before swerving infield to plonk the ball down beside the posts. By this time Paterson had shaken off his earlier injury problem and he banged over the conversion.

Both teams were intent on playing fast and open rugby, with the crowd showing their appreciation. The drama level rose as the TV referee was called into action twice in quick succession. On the first occasion, home hooker Romain Terrain had looked certain to score in the wake of a beautifully-weighted crossfield lob by McIntyre - only for Robertson to dislodge the ball from his grasp at the last split second.

Then Paterson was denied a touchdown at the other end when the video official ruled he had marginally knocked on. But Paterson bounced back to fire over two second-half penalties and clinch a notable victory.

Castres: Bouquie, Mazars, Kefu, Christophers, Carballo, McIntyre, Senio, Hoeft, Terrain, Ducalcon, Koulemine, Nallet, Malonga, Capo, Nell.

Replacements: Legardere for Bouquie (68), Teulet for Kefu (45), Tillous-Borde for Senio (65), Forestier for Hoeft (73), Giorgadze for Terrain (68), Tekori for Koulemine (48), Faure for Nallet (73).

Edinburgh: Paterson, Robertson, Cairns, De Luca, Webster, Godman, M. Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, G. Cross, C. Hamilton, J. Hamilton, Newlands, MacDonald, Hogg.

Replacements: Houston for De Luca (64), D. Blair for Godman (70), Kerr for Jacobsen (68), Kelly for Ford (73), Gissing for C. Hamilton (53).

Not Used: S. Cross, Laidlaw.

Att: 8,600

Man of the Match: Mike Blair (Edinburgh)

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