Bradley left to ponder plan after Falcons dump Edinburgh

Published on 18/08/2012 12:23

Edinburgh Rugby coach Michael Bradley learned just how much work remains to be done to integrate the club’s newcomers after the Capital outfit suffered a 21-3 defeat away to Newcastle Falcons last night.

An early penalty by Harry 
Leonard nudged Edinburgh into the lead but it was a disjointed effort and the hosts, with former Edinburgh lock Scott MacLeod in the second row and erstwhile scrum half Rory Lawson on the bench, battled back to lead 10-3 at the break, after profiting from their numerical advantage – Georgian international Dimitri Basilaia earning the dubious distinction of becoming Edinburgh’s first player this season spend ten minutes in the sin bin.

Jimmy Gopperth squared matters with a penalty before Newcastle prop Oliver 
Tomaszczyk battered his way over for a converted try to complete the first half scoring. Edinburgh rang the changes in the second period and there were promising signs, with Welshman Richie Rees looking particularly lively, but a brace of penalties by Gopperth kept the scoreboard ticking over and hooker Phil Vickers bagged Newcastle’s second touchdown of the evening to complete the scoring and provide Bradley with food for thought.