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Edinburgh wrecked Cardiff's Celtic League housewarming party by collecting their fifth win in their last six visits to the Welsh capital 22-21.

However, only a touch of luck saved the visitors from last-ditch defeat in a game they dominated.

Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas burst through for a superb individual try, leaving full-back Ben Blair, who had kicked immaculately all night, to convert and seal an unlikely victory in front of 8,125 fans at the new Cardiff City Stadium.

But the ball toppled over as he moved to kick and, without time to replace it, the New Zealander had to go through with his attempt, which sailed agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

The Scots were first on the board as Roddy Grant, their go-to man in attack, was held up twice, before fellow flanker Alan MacDonald finally crossed at the posts for Chris Paterson to convert.

And, after Blair had kicked a close-range penalty to register the Blues' first competitive points at their new home, Edinburgh produced another fine move to create a second try.

Fly-half Phil Godman, the architect of most of their attacking play, found the giant Dutchman on the left wing, Tim Visser, who marked his debut with a touchdown.

The Blues finally showed some creativity of their own, back row duo Xavier Rush and Robin Sowden-Taylor taking them deep into the Edinburgh 22, before the ball was swung left to reach Chris Czekaj, who stretched over for a score.

Blair's conversion, along with two missed kicks by Paterson, meant the Blues were still in touch at the break.

It did not last; an inch-perfect cross kick by Godman was caught on the halfway line by winger Mark Robertson, who sent Paterson galloping 40 yards for an unconverted try.

Two Blair penalties sandwiched one by Paterson as the game lost its shape with the inevitable changes of personnel, until Thomas's touchdown set up the dramatic finale.

Huw Bennett scored the only try - and Dan Biggar and James Hook kicked the rest of the points - as the Ospreys opened their campaign with a deserved 19-12 win at Connacht.

Connacht endured a second-half collapse at the Sportsground, losing new number eight Mike McComish and scrum-half Frank Murphy to the sin-bin in quick succession.

Taking full advantage, the Ospreys scored 10 crucial points during that spell, Biggar booting a penalty and converting replacement hooker Bennett's score off a line-out maul. But Connacht, restored to 15 players, showed their battling qualities as they fought back to claim a late bonus point thanks to Ian Keatley's fourth successful penalty.

Teenage fly-half Biggar kicked the visitors ahead with a drop goal in the ninth minute but Connacht hit back when a push in the line-out allowed Keatley to land his first penalty.

Keatley attacked off the restart, making a surging 28-metre break. He found Niva Ta'auso up in support - and although the move petered out, the Ospreys leaked another penalty which Keatley slotted between the posts.

Biggar kicked his side level at 6-6 four minutes into the second half - and the Welsh outfit turned the screw, dominating possession through their pack.

Keatley hit a post with a penalty chance, and Biggar edged the visitors ahead with his second penalty.

Then with a controversial offside decision against Murphy putting Connacht down to 13 players, the breakthrough try duly arrived. Ian Gough won possession off a 60th-minute line-out close to the Connacht line, and a powerful drive shunted Bennett over the line. Biggar added the extras for a decisive 16-6 lead.

The Ospreys had chances to build on their lead, but a lone penalty from replacement Hook was all they could muster in the final quarter.

Connacht came back with two more Keatley kicks to earn a point.

Ruaridh Jackson put the gloss on Glasgow's 22-9 opening night win against Munster by finishing off a slick move to score the matches' only try at Firhill.

Dan Parks had put the home side ahead via his five penalties and, while Jeremy Manning replied with three of his own to keep things interesting, Jackson's late try was converted by Mark McMillan to make sure of the win.

PA Sport