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London Irish
European Challenge Cup | Quarter-Finals
Apr 5, 2015 at 5.45pm UK
 
London Irish
18-23
EdinburghEdinburgh
Gilsenan (40'), Steele (54')
FT
Nel (11'), McKenzie (61')

Edinburgh down London Irish to reach Challenge Cup semis

Edinburgh hold off a late charge from London Irish to advance to a home semi-final against the Newport Gwent Dragons in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne's perfect performance with the boot has helped Edinburgh overcome London Irish in the quarter-finals of the inaugural European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Tim Visser of Edinburgh is tackled by Eamonn Sheridan (L) and Blair Cowan of London Irish during the European Rugby Challenge Cup Quarter Final between London Irish and Edinburgh Rugby at Madejski Stadium on April 5, 2015© Getty Images

Edinburgh were out of the blocks quickly as Hidalgo-Clyne sent over a penalty inside the first minute before WP Nel scored a converted try soon after.

Hidalgo-Clyne's kicking remained exemplary as he made two more penalties to give the visitors as 16-0 lead a quarter of the way through the match.

Shane Geraghty couldn't match Hidalgo-Clyne with the boot as he made just one of three penalties in the first half, but he did successfully convert after Conor Gilsenan's try right at the end of the first half.

That brought the Exiles within six and they were soon ahead for the first time in the game as a Geraghty penalty was followed by Scott Steele's try.

Edinburgh soon retook the lead with their first points in almost 40 minutes as Fraser McKenzie went over and Hidalgo-Clyne added the extras.

That would be the final score of the match, but there was an incredible finish as Irish thought they had scored a try which, had it been converted, would have sent them through. The TMO watched several replays of the incident and decided that David Paice hadn't grounded the ball.

It is Edinburgh then who advance to a home tie against the Newport Gwent Dragons in the last four at Murrayfield in two weeks' time.

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Pascal Lemesre
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