A bad-tempered Heineken Cup clash saw Reivers doing the double over Northampton with an 18-15 victory in which man of the match Duncan Hodge played a leading role.

Hodge won the previous pool meeting between these sides back in October with a late dropped goal, and he kicked five penalties and a drop goal this time round at Murrayfield as the final bell rang on Northampton's sorry defence of their Euro crown.

Edinburgh were out of the running too, however, as soon as Llanelli had beaten Colomiers to move onto eight points in Pool 5 - the Scots now have no chance of finishing as one the two best runners-up.

Reivers benefited early on from Northampton indiscipline. Hodge goaled a pair of penalties after first Scotland prop Mattie Stewart played the ball when clearly offside and then Andy Rennick threw a cynical punch.

Reivers then unleashed their backs and after Cameron Murray came close, Hodge dropped a goal.

After 13 minutes, Northampton got on the scoresheet with an Alistair Hepher penalty.

The game turned niggly and yellow cards were produced for Iain Fullarton and Grant Seely after an incident which gave Hodge his third penalty.

Further indiscipline, this time by Barry Stewart let Northampton start the attack which ended with Ben Cohen scoring on his wrong wing for Hepher to convert and cut Reivers' half time lead to 12-10.

Reivers resisted early Northampton pressure after the break before attacking themselves through Kevin Utterson. However the closest they came to scoring was Chris Paterson being tackled into the corner flag.

Northampton broke upfield off a penalty and Steve Thompson's try put the Saints ahead for the first time. But a pair of Hodge penalties restored the home lead which they hung onto for the last 10 minutes.

Edinburgh Reivers: Pens: Hodge 5. Drop: Hodge.

Northampton: Tries: Cohen, Thompson. Cons: Hepher. Pen: Hepher

Attendance: 800

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)