Edinburgh win to end Sharks’ URC play-off hopes

Sharks are renowned for being quick starters and, after a free-flowing opening six minutes, and with Edinburgh stretched inside their 10-metre line, Van der Merwe had plenty of space to trot over in the corner, with Jean Smith adding the conversion.

Edinburgh responded well and Ashman crashed over from close range after 16 minutes, with Cammy Scott slotting the easy kick.

It was Sharks’ turn to respond just three minutes later as the powerful visiting pack pushed Buthelezi over for his sixth try in four games, with Smith again on target with the conversion.

Sharks were knocked off their stride with the loss through injury of lively scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse and Edinburgh again drew level shortly after the half-hour mark.

An uncharacteristic dummy from Grant Gilchrist set up fellow forward Young for a try next to the posts, with Scott levelling the scores again.

Despite having dominance in the scrum, Sharks changed their front row at the break and one of them, and Vincent Koch crashed over from close range after 53 minutes, with Smith restoring the seven-point gap.

Once again, Edinburgh responded and Tuipulotu marked his new contract by touching down in the corner for his first try of the season.

The hosts remained behind with Ross Thompson unable to convert out on the touchline, but they were ahead for the first time almost immediately as Ashman chased his own charge down and offloaded to Patterson and Thompson this time made no mistake.

It was three Edinburgh tries within nine thrilling minutes as Graham kicked ahead and then gathered from team-mate Piers O’Conor to touch down under the posts and allow Thompson to establish a 12-point lead.

Tshituka’s late touch down in the corner, and Smith’s conversion, could not dampen the hosts’ joy.