Another week, another bonus point win and another match where the opponents go away with nothing. I could get used this.
But let’s not get carried away. Saturday’s 27-8 win over Cardiff has me feeling far more positive than I was a fortnight ago, but as Ben Muncaster said at the end of the game “It wasn’t even close to the perfect performance” and there are bigger challenges ahead.
A few pundits have tipped Cardiff to be the dark horses of this season. They have made some shrewd signings and there is an undercurrent of resurgence in this proud Welsh region. These new faces were not enough to cover their extensive injury list.
A number of key players were missing leaving a team that Edinburgh should be expected to beat reasonably comfortably.
Going into the game Edinburgh were the lowest-scoring game openers in the league, averaging three points in the first 20 minutes of each game.
This seemed like a statistic that they were determined to maintain. 27 minutes of control, possession, territory and exciting attacks, but only the standard three points to show for it.
There was no doubt that Edinburgh personified determination, but ruthlessness is still elusive.
The penalty count grew at an alarming rate and Cardiff piggybacked up the pitch to score the first try of the game.
Edinburgh’s defence is improving, but I still get a disproportionate fear when oppositions enter our 22. Off their line out, Cardiff deftly executed a three-phase set-piece which tore through Edinburgh and did nothing to allay my fears.
The inevitable morale dip followed. Grant Gilchrist was lost to a yellow card and the team looked dazed and sluggish. Intent wasn’t backed up by execution but they managed to hang on until half-time.
It had been a madcap end-to-end half with minimal time in the middle third of the pitch. How it was only 3-5 as they walked off was unbelievable and infuriating.
As Gilchrist said post-match “If we'd been more clinical, and our breakdown been better, we should have scored three tries in the first half”.
I watched the second half from the stands and then again when I got home. Each was a notably different experience.
From my sofa in the knowledge of the outcome, Edinburgh were the team I wanted them to be: coherent, in control and even clinical at times.
Watching from the stands, the frustrations from the lack of first-half tries were still bubbling. We were clearly playing well enough to deserve the four try bonus point, but we were making hard work of it.
When Muncaster’s try was chalked off with full-time looming, it felt like we had thrown away another opportunity. The resulting Cardiff lineout overthrow landed neatly in the arms of Ewan Ashman, providing him the easiest try he will ever score. We had the bonus point, but it had been gifted to us rather than earned.
Darcy Graham had spoken in the week at his frustration about the lack of times he and Duhan were getting to touch the ball. It was clear that his feedback was noted as both wingers found themselves in possession within the first three minutes.
Read more:
- Darcy Graham responds to Duhan van der Merwe Edinburgh exit rumours
- Five things we learned from Edinburgh's win over Cardiff
As a result of both vastly improved demand and supply, neither of them can have any complaints this week.
Duhan has been mentioned in many reports through the week alongside the rumours of his possible exit. The common observation was that he saves his best stuff for the big stage.
On Saturday, he was keen to dispel this opinion. A high work rate was rewarded with a try in the corner with a finish that will be edited straight into all highlight reels.
Darcy was a man on a mission. There were times that I was convinced that there were three of him on the pitch. Always looking for work, I swear he was playing both wings and not shy in lending a shoulder to the ruck. He also walked away with a well-deserved try and must have been in contention for Player of the Match.
The only exception is perhaps Cammy Scott, but how much impact or experience can anyone achieve in just 30 seconds of play?
The number 10 shirt debate has dominated the fan discussions. There is no question that Ross Thompson has slotted neatly into the Edinburgh, has provided distribution to the backs and he’s growing into the role.
Where it leaves Ben Healy has dichotomised supporters. He showed great promise at Munster, was the URC’s highest point scorer last season and is seen as the reason that Edinburgh won as many games as they did.
On the other hand, he achieved this through playing all-but eight minutes of the season and followed the dictated 'take the three points' strategy. He rarely managed to ignite the attack with pace and creativity. The lack of try bonus points cost Edinburgh a place in the play-offs.
Hopefully some game time with the 'A' team will help him find form and his own style that fits into the Edinburgh directives.
There is undoubtedly a talent there that shouldn’t be squandered. It was encouraging to see Sean Everitt with his arm round Ben soon after the final whistle on Saturday.
So where now for Edinburgh? We have back-to-back bonus point wins, but these have been at home. Can we replicate this away? Previously we have struggled. This week we travel to Ospreys.
They sit bottom of the league so it is a tantalising opportunity, but they also have had a tough start to the season so will be targeting this match to get their season up and running. It will be a fascinating encounter.
We have come through the dreaded seasoning opening matches and sitting in the top half of the table, albeit with the South African teams having a game in hand.
We have five league bonus points, equivalent to an extra win. We have some of the toughest matches under our belt.
Performances haven’t left me feeling confident, but results are more important. Given how the season opening loomed over us, I am pleased with where we are.
Our next run of games provides us opportunities to build on where we are. We just need to make sure we don’t throw it away.
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