IT was a game Edinburgh threw away, but also one that revives demands for the Guinness PRO12 to end its policy of appointing home officials to make vital decisions.
After taking a lead into the second half, but falling behind to a breakaway try, the Scot's chance of redemption ended when Michele Visentin, the Zebre wing, was awarded his team's second score, though television pictures showed he had grounded the ball on the touchline.
Stefano Penne, the Italian television match official, took an age to reach a verdict - long after both groups of players had watched replays on the big screen at the ground and started lining up for the 22 drop out that would have been the correct decision - and eventually ruled in favour of the Italian side.
"We did not get the rub of the officials, let's put it that way," said Alan Solomons, the head coach, trying his best to be diplomatic afterwards. "There was a game we could and should have won. We had opportunities where, if we had held on to the ball, we would probably have scored, it was one of those things. That second try was a key factor and as far as I could see on the television, it was on the touchline.
"I don't know how that try could have been awarded, I have no idea. I also have to have a look at a penalty when Matt Scott stripped the ball in the tackle. We needed the rub of the green and didn't get it. At the very least that game should have been a draw."
Almost as worrying as the result is that, with a dozen players already on the injury list, they picked up more injuires. Ross Ford, the hooker, went off with a tweaked back, David Denton, the No 8, with a shoulder problem and Rory Sutherland with a hand injury. If the damage to Sutherland proves serious, it could leave the club struggling for props. All three will be assessed once the team return to Scotland today.
Edinburgh had enough chances to have taken the vagaries of officialdom out of the equation, even accepting that the heavy rain that has been plaguing Italy for the last month had left the pitch sodden and the ball slippery.
"We were most unfortunate in this game. Yes, there are areas we can look on, we were heavily penalised in the first half and the scrum did not function well and was penalised a number of times, but we should have done better and the players are bitterly disappointed about it," said Solomons.
They did take a lead into half time,Tom Heathcote kicking an early penalty and converting the try scored by Roddy Grant, the flanker, supporting a break from Tim Visser, the wing. In reply, all Zebre could muster was a penalty from fly-half Kelly Haimona.
Just when it looked as though the Scots were taking control, dominating territory and possession, it all went wrong. The penalty against Scott brought Zebre back into the game; a doppped ball in attack was run back for the centre Guilio Bisegni to touch down after Guilio Toniolatti, the wing, had done all the hard work. It means Zebre were already ahead when the final try ensured there was no way back for Edinburgh.
Zebre: H Daniller; L Sarto, G Bisegni, M Pratichetti, G Toniolatti (M Visentin, 55); K Haimona, B Leonard; A Lovotti, A Manici (O Fabiani, 74), D Chistolini (sin bin: 47-57), G Biagi, M Bortolami (C) (Q Geldenhuys, 49), V Bernabo (sin- bin: 26-36, L Romano, 47-57), F Cristiano (sin-bin: 43-53), S Vunisa.
Edinburgh: N Mclennan (G Tonks, 74); D Fife , M Scott, A Strauss, T Visser; T Heathcote, S Hidalgo-Clyne (G Hart, 66); R Sutherland (sin bin: 47-57, G Shiells, 59), R Ford (J Hilterbrand, 30), WP Nel (J Andress, 65), O Atkins (F Mckenzie, 65), B Toolis, M Coman (C), R Grant, D Denton (T Leonardi, 41, G Shiells, 47-57).
Referee: D Wilkinson (Ireland)
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