Edinburgh left to rue excruciating first half

For the second weekend on the trot, Edinburgh Reivers were left to rue a disappointing first half display as they again crashed to Biarritz.

Despite a spirited fightback, which twice saw them get within five points of Biarritz, Reivers were denied by the old head of Frano Botica who landed two of his seven penalties in the last quarter to ensure that Reivers would not be able to register their third European Cup win.

The Scottish District had their French visitors on the back foot for much of the second half, but a breakaway try early in the half, and the boot of Botica steadied the French to victory.

Reivers got off to the worst possible start after conceding a penalty in the first minute which Botica converted, but Duncan Hodge levelled the match four minutes later with his only successful kick of the half.

Botica reinstated the French lead, before the visitors scored the only try of the opening half - Philippe Bernat-Salles sending Sebastien Bonetti in for the score.

Botica added the conversion, and then penalised Reivers for their indiscipline with three further penalties before the break. With a mountain to climb, Reivers came out firing in the second half, and Graham Shiel burst over within two minutes to give the Reivers a lifeline which Hodge converted. However, the Scottish side were dealt a blow when Bonetti went over for his second try, converted by Botica.

The Reivers continued to force the French into mistakes, however, and two tries in five minutes from Cameron Murray and Kevin Utterson brought the match back to boiling point.

A further penalty from Botica steadied French nerves before a further three points from Hodge again brought Reivers to within touching distance before the French shut up shop.

EDINBURGH REIVERS: Paterson, Murray, Utterson, Shiel, Joiner, Hodge, Burns, Jacobsen, Scott, Stewart, Lucking, Metcalfe, Mackinnon, S Taylor, G Dall. Tries: Shiel, Murray, Utterson. Cons: Hodge 3. Pens: Hodge 2.

BIARRITZ: Bonetti, Bernat-Salles, Isaac, Couttet, Legg, Botica, Bonnet, Avril, Gonzalez, Puleoto, Nouchi, Roumat, Betsen, T. Lievremont, Milheres. Not Used: Chamboulive, Menieu, Versailles, M. Lievremont, Morlaes, Peyrelongue, Daguerre. Tries: Bonetti 2. Cons: Botica 2. Pens: Botica 7.

Referee: C White (England).