Edinburgh 10 Glasgow Warriors 7
EDINBURGH head coach Sean Everitt praised his players as they bounced back from last week’s Hampden humiliation by beating Glasgow at Murrayfield.
A record crowd for this fixture of more than 40,000 took in a largely attritional affair that produced just two tries, both late in the contest.
It was Pierre Schoeman’s score that proved to be the decisive one as Edinburgh ran out 10-7 winners, although it was Warriors who retained the 1872 Cup on aggregate.
Everitt felt his players had shown courage and determination to prove their critics wrong and was especially complimentary about the defence as they nulled Glasgow’s usually potent attacking threat.
Luke Crosbie and Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt celebrate at full-time
Edinburgh’s Pierre Schoeman touches down for the only try of an attritional contest
The head coach, who has been under increasing pressure after a poor start to the season, said: ‘I’m very pleased with how they responded this week. Obviously in this position, it’s frustrating that we can’t do this every week.
‘It was a tough week for the players after delivering that performance last week. But I’m really proud of how they turned it around because that’s what they’re capable of.
‘We spoke during the week about intent and there certainly was intent. I think it’s easier when you’re on the front foot, and the guys showed that if you’re well-disciplined, the game becomes easier.
‘So, I’m proud of them. I thought our defence was outstanding tonight. Our chats in the changing room and team room have always been positive. I think we know what we’re capable of doing. It’s obviously nice to win and get a result, but it’s about us not being complacent, staying humble and moving forward.’
The heavy defeat at Hampden had placed Everitt under the spotlight and he admitted it was a relief to come out with a victory.
He added: ‘Yes, it’s been a challenge. It’s not what people write about me. It’s about me trying to get the team back together and on the right track to be able to get a result.
‘So that will always be our challenge as coaches, whether it be internally or externally. But at the end of the day, you get the reward of being in this job.
‘Pressure is a privilege, otherwise you’d be coaching amateur rugby somewhere. So, yeah, these type of feelings, winning feelings, are really good.’
Kyle Steyn lifts the 1872 Cup for Glasgow despite their second-leg defeat
Edinburgh matchwinner Pierre Schoeman hails the home fans at full-time
His opposite number Franco Smith wasn’t too deflated despite Glasgow slipping to their third defeat of the season.
The Warriors head coach said: ‘I’m not disappointed at all. Tonight we ran into a wall of blue defenders. There was something special about them. We said that before the first game, too. We said they’re a quality team and Sean is a good coach.
‘Last week, maybe it looked easy for us. This week we had three opportunities in the first half and couldn’t score.
‘I want to win everything every day. But we’ve lost by one point, three points and four points in this competition which is tight. So, therefore today the compliment was with Edinburgh, not necessarily with us not doing what we should.’
Glasgow lost this fixture last season and went on to win the URC and Smith is hoping lightning might strike twice as he prepares to welcome back a batch of players from injury.
He said: ‘I think it was the best idea to not force anybody back into this Christmas week and give them another week to recover. I’m looking forward to having that competition back in training.’
