Edinburgh recorded their biggest win and first bonus point of the season with a late burst at Murrayfield to down Rabo-direct PRO12 basement side Connacht 43-10.
Three tries in the last seven minutes turned a workmanlike win into a rout, with skipper Greig Laidlaw on target from all parts of the torn-up Murrayfield pitch with a perfect nine-from-nine and 23 points.
But Edinburgh trailed right up until half-time and had it not been for a last-gasp tackle from man-of-the-match Cornell du Preez, could have been trailing going into the break.
Instead, Dougie Fife’s counter right on half-time got them ahead and Du Preez, Nick De Luca and Willem Nel got the late scores for the full five points.
Head coach Alan Solomons said his side had been far from faultless, but that it was a morale-boosting victory taking them up to eighth in the PRO12 table.
“At times we were too frenetic and a bit rushed, but let’s give credit to the boys for getting such a good win against a side that are always difficult to play against,” he said.
“We realised that possession was the key in the second half and the gaps would come, and it was very pleasing to stick two tries on in the last minutes there and get the bonus.”
Edinburgh needed until the last play of the half to pierce the Connacht defence, as the Irishmen made a bright start for a 10-3 lead in the first quarter.
Grieg Laidlaw’s early penalty after the Connacht backs were too quick chasing a Dan Parks bomb was levelled by the former Scotland stand-off’s trademark drop goal, and then the visitors scored a fine opening try.
Off-loads from their young star Robbie Henshaw and Eoin Griffin opened up the defence and when Jake Heenan was felled just before the line he got a pass away to Henshaw for the score, Parks converting.
Edinburgh gradually fought their way back with two further penalties from Laidlaw, but it needed a brilliant tap tackle from Du Preez on Mick Kearney to stop Connacht scoring a second try, and then Parks hit the post with a penalty chance.
Finally the capital side got some territory right on the stroke of half-time, chose to run a penalty within Laidlaw’s range, and were rewarded when a slick set move saw Fife break between tacklers and reach for the score, his captain converting.
Fife nearly went in again as Edinburgh had control early in the second half, but when Connacht were penalised in their 22 trying to run it out, Laidlaw kicked his fourth penalty.
Parks again hit the upright with a penalty as Edinburgh were almost caught out by a crosskick from the veteran 10, but Laidlaw was on target on the hour to take the home side out to a 12-point lead.
Connacht tried to hit back by mauling attacking lineouts but were stalled, and paid for their missed chances again as wings Cuthbert and Fife made good ground up the right touchline.
Cuthbert was hauled down just short of the line but Edinburgh were patient to work a one-on-one for Du Preez to smash over and make sure of the points.
Laidlaw converted that and also De Luca’s diving interception try with three minutes left as Connacht tried to run from behind their own line.
And Edinburgh bagged the bonus straight from the kickoff as great running from Greig Tonks and replacement Sam Beard allowed prop Nel to rumble in from 20 metres, Laidlaw completing his perfect evening with the conversion.