Edinburgh 10 Glasgow Warriors 7
EDINBURGH manager Sean Everitt has praised his players as they bounce back from last week’s humiliation at Hampden with a win over Glasgow at Murrayfield.
A record crowd for the match of over 40,000 took part in a very attritional affair which produced only two tries in the second half of the contest.
Although it was the Warriors who retained the Cup on aggregate in 1872, it was Pierre Schoeman’s goal that proved decisive as Edinburgh ran out 10-7 winners.
Everitt felt his players showed courage and determination to prove the critics wrong, and was especially praised for their defense as it nullified Glasgow’s usually strong attacking threat.
Luke Crosbie and Edinburgh manager Sean Everitt celebrate at full-time
Edinburgh’s Pierre Schoeman touched down for the only try of the attritional contest.
The manager, who is under increasing pressure after a poor start to the season, said: ‘I’m very pleased with their response this week. Obviously, in this position, it’s frustrating not being able to do it every week.
‘It’s been a tough week for the players after such a performance last week. But I’m really proud of how they’ve changed. Because that’s what they can do.
‘We’ve been talking about intentions for a week and there were definitely intentions. I think it’s easier when you’re up front, but the players have shown that the game gets easier if you train well.
‘So I’m proud of them. I thought our defense was great tonight. Conversations in the dressing room and team room were always positive. I think we know what we can do. ‘Of course it’s good to win and get results, but it’s important to be humble and move forward, not to be complacent.’
The heavy defeat at Hampden put Everitt in the spotlight and he admitted he was fortunate to get the win.
He added: ‘Yes, it was a challenge. People aren’t writing about me. It’s about getting the team back together and trying to get back on the right track so we can get results.
‘So that will always be our challenge as coaches, whether internally or externally. But in the end, you will be rewarded for this job.
‘Pressure is a privilege. Otherwise you’ll end up coaching amateur rugby somewhere. Yes, this feeling, the feeling of winning, is a really good thing.’
Kyle Steyn lifted the 1872 Cup for Glasgow despite losing the second leg.
Edinburgh’s matchwinner Pierre Schoeman gave the home fans a full-time cheer.
His counterpart Franco Smith was unfazed by Glasgow’s third defeat of the season.
“I wasn’t disappointed at all,” the Warriors coach said. Tonight we ran into a wall of blue defenders. There was something special about them. I said that even before the first game. We said they were a great team and Sean was a great coach.
‘Last week it probably looked easy for us. This week they had three chances in the first half but failed to score.
‘I want to win everything every day. But in this fierce competition, we lost by 1, 3 and 4 points. So today’s praise is for Edinburgh and not necessarily for not doing what we need to do.’
Glasgow lost this game last season and went on to win the URC and Smith is hoping lightning can strike twice as they prepare to welcome players back from injury.
“I think the best idea is to give them an extra week to recover and not force anyone this Christmas week,” he said. I’m looking forward to playing that competition again in training.’
