Edinburgh continued their Welsh-Scottish League revival at Meadowbank - but strugglers Ebbw Vale made them toil all the way.

The home side looked on course for a more clear-cut triumph until sub Aaron Takarangi rocked them with two tries.

Lock Matt Jolly and rookie Mike Blair finally snuffed out the visitors' spirited challenge with late scores.

Edinburgh had settled first and surged ahead after seven minutes.

They put together a string of phases before wing Craig Joiner cruised to the line.

There was controversy at the other end as Edinburgh restored their advantage.

The home side were awarded three penalties in quick succession close to the line.

And when Ebbw were deemed to have killed the ball a fourth time, referee Chuck Muir had no hesitation in ruling a penalty try, easily converted by Ross.

Again, the visitors replied in robust style to narrow the gap to a single point.

This time it was Martin Ridley who breached the defence, with Cull slotting the kick.

The frantic action continued with the Gunners grabbing back the initiative before the break.

Todd Blackadder was the orchestrator as giant lock Richard Metcalfe hurtled through, Ross again claiming the extras.

Former All Blacks skipper Blackadder turned from provider to scorer of Edinburgh's fourth touchdown.

The conversion was from a wide angle, but Ross made it look easy.

He then swapped penalties with Cull as the Welsh side just managed to stay within range.

Takarangi then came off the bench to set up a dramatic finale with his two scores, both converted by Cull, who also again traded penalties with Ross.

Ross then kept up his success rate by converting the clinching tries from Jolly and sub scrum-half Blair.

Edinburgh: B Laney; C Joiner, M di Rollo, K Utterson, C Murray; G Ross, G Burns (capt); G Whittingham, S Scott, J Brannigan, R Metcalfe, M Jolly, A Dall, T Blackadder, S Taylor.
Reps: C di Ciacca, C Smith, A Davidson, P Robertson, M Blair, D Officer, C Paterson.

Ebbw Vale: G Cull, R Shorney, M Ridley, D Weatherley, D Rogers, P Matthews, A Bevan, I Thomas (capt), J Evans, D Penisini, D Hudd, Gavin Evans, R Williams, G Green, T Morris.
Reps: A Clatworthy, C Bevan, K Tuipolotu, K Ellis, M James, A Takarangi, O Booyse.

Referee: Chuck Muir (Langholm)