Edinburgh survive late scare from Harlequins to secure five-point win

Harlequins 18-23 Edinburgh, Twickenham Stoop
Scorecard

Edinburgh successfully overcame a late surge from Harlequins as they have strengthened their chance of securing a quarter-final berth in the European Challenge Cup with a close 18-23 victory at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

The first quarter saw Edinburgh fly-half Duncan Weir and his counterpart Tim Swiel exchange penalties following which lock Fraser McKenzie gave the visitors a clear advantage with a try in the 25th minute.

Harlequins faced a setback when their flanker James Chisholm was sin-binned in the 28th minute but Duncan Hodge's men failed to capitalise on it and after once again both the fly-halves exchanged penalties, the home team took a slender seven-point lead at half-time.

The infringements continued from Quins as they lost prop Kyle Sinckler temporarily when he was yellow-carded in the 50th minute and it proved costly for them as Edinburgh prop Allan Dell strolled past the post soon after and Weir's conversion extended the lead to 14 points.

Dave Ward became the third Harlequins player to be sin-binned in the 70th minute allowing Weir to score a penalty.

With 17 points behind, replacement Matthew Luamanu raised hopes with his 78th minute try and in the added minutes Joe Gray crossed over as well but their efforts went in vain as Harlequins succumbed to a five-point defeat.

Edinburgh and Quins occupy the first two positions in Pool 5 with 19 and 18 points respectively.