Tim Visser scored one of Edinburgh's five tries
© Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Matches: Edinburgh 44 - 21 Benetton Treviso

Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12

Teams: Benetton Treviso | Edinburgh

Edinburgh ended their disappointing RaboDirect Pro12 campaign with a 44-21 victory over Treviso.

The home side had tries from Dave Denton, Greig Laidlaw, Paterson, Tim Visser and Kyle Traynor, plus a 19-point contribution with the boot from Laidlaw. The visitors had a touchdown double by Ludovico Nitoglia and one from Edoardo Gori, all three of them converted by Kris Burton.

Having failed to reproduce their sparkling European form in league competition, the hosts were already consigned to second-bottom place in the table, and their only incentive was to give Chris Paterson a winning send-off.

The Italians began the evening in eighth and knowing that a win might elevate their position by a notch. However, they paid the price for poor discipline and rarely looked likely to spoil the party. Nevertheless, the outcome is an improvement on the 10th place they achieved in their debut season.

Laidlaw stroked over a penalty in two minutes to set the scoreboard ticking. The only other scoring opportunity in a scrappy opening ten minutes was squandered by Burton, who pulled a straightforward kick wide.

Edinburgh eased the pace up a notch and Tom Brown came close to breaking through. However, the score was only delayed as the recycled ball was switched left to Laidlaw who picked out Denton and the flanker thundered over. Laidlaw stroked over the conversion to take the lead into double figures.

Laidlaw was on target again in the 22nd minute, punishing the indiscipline of the Italians, who then paid for it in the form of a yellow card for Alessandro Zanni after he committed one offence too many. Edinburgh capitalised almost instantly, Laidlaw slicing through the Treviso defence to dot down, then adding the conversion.

While Treviso's attacking threat had not been evident at this stage, they offered a glimpse of their pace behind the scrum when Nitoglia darted in at the corner, and Burton banged over the touchline conversion. However, another penalty by Laidlaw sent Edinburgh in at the break well in control with a 23-7 lead.

Substitute Brendan Williams was the next to incur the wrath of the referee, earning ten minutes in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on. However, as they had done in the first half, Treviso shrugged off their personnel shortage and Nitoglia grabbed his second score, Burton again booting the conversion.

The Edinburgh response was a break from deep and a chip ahead into the path of Paterson, who won the race for the line, Laidlaw again adding the extras. At 30-14, the home side looked to be home and hosed, but there was no room for easing off as they discovered when Gori claimed try number three for Treviso and Burton was again on target with the conversion.

But home nerves were settled when Visser powered over for try number 14 of the season, Laidlaw again converting, as he did when Traynor forced his way over from close range to mark his final outing for the club with a five-point contribution.