Sam Hidalgo-Clyne shrugged off the wind and rain to produce a second-half kicking masterclass, and see Edinburgh Rugby snatch a 16-13 win over Connacht, the first time the Irish region have lost at the Sportsground this season.

Dave Denton’s first-half try was cancelled out by a penalty try for hosts Connacht just before half-time, but Hidalgo-Clyne’s three second-half penalties saw the visitors snatch this GUINNESS PRO12 thriller.

Connacht defeated Irish rivals Munster last time out and head coach Pat Lam rewarded those involved by naming the same starting XV minus just fly-half Craig Ronaldson, who missed out through concussion.

His replacement at No.10, Miah Nikora, failed with his first attempt at goal as a missed penalty on eight minutes failed to give Connacht an early lead.

The visitors got the first points of the evening through Denton’s score on 16 minutes after a quick tap and go by Hidalgo-Clyne caught the host defence out.

The scrum-half added the extras to give Edinburgh a 7-0 lead but the hosts had their first points on the board on 23 minutes when Nikora was successful with a penalty, Bundee Aki’s incisive running forcing the error.

You felt the next score was only going to be for Connacht and it would have been sooner if not for a try-saving tackle from Jack Cuthbert on 32 minutes.

But Connacht had the final say before the half was up, a penalty try awarded as Edinburgh were forced into trying to pull it down on their own try-line.

Ben Toolis had been shown a yellow card moments before the score was awarded and with Nikora converting the hosts were happy to run in at the break 13-7 to the good.

Edinburgh however responded after the interval and two quick penalties from Hidalgo-Clyne – one of which was from all of 50 metres – had the visitors level on 49 minutes.

Wing Dougie Fife squandered a great opportunity to put Connacht ahead once more but after chipping the ball through and chasing his own kick, he knocked on at the line.

More good work up front from Edinburgh’s forwards gave Hidalgo-Clyne the chance to put his side back ahead but he dragged a third penalty of the half just wide on 57 minutes.

But after Connacht prop Finlay Bealham was shown a yellow card for not rolling away, he made amends with another penalty to edge Edinburgh ahead with ten minutes remaining.

Connacht gave it their all to keep their unblemished home record but some resolute defending saw Edinburgh record their second straight GUINNESS PRO12 victory.

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