Leinster Grind Out Vital Win Against Ulster
LEINSTER 8
ULSTER 3
Stephen Doyle at the RDS
A try scored by Sean Cronin added to an early Johnny Sexton penalty was enough to prevent a third straight loss for Leinster but there was another addition to the injury list.
Replacement Noel Reid was barely on the pitch before going down injured and was eventually carted off with what looked like a serious knock.
The home team came out of the traps hard and fast displaying some slick passing and an eagerness to prove a point.
They were rewarded for their efforts with an early penalty and Johnny Sexton knocked it over from mid-range.
Ulster went on the attack and won a couple of scrums around the Leinster 22, when the home team got sloppy with a couple of knock-ons.
A penalty attempt eventually came Paddy Jackson’s away and much to the delight of the home fans, the Ulster number 10 was off target from about 20 metres out.
His next kick, from a similar distance but closer to touch, drew the sides level.
Leinster were struggling to get back into the opposition half but their chance came when Sexton’s clever kick through put Craig Gilroy into the touch with the ball in hand.
The Blues couldn’t make that one count but kept the pressure up on the visitors and won a penalty which was kicked for a lineout.
Ulster made a valiant effort in defending the Leinster maul but eventually gave way and from under all of the bodies emerged Cronin after the touchdown.
The less said about Sexton’s shanked conversion effort the better but boss Leo Cullen would be happy to take the team in at the break with a 5-point lead.
A brilliant attack right after the restart and flanker Rhys Ruddock made a superb break for the line but was stopped agonisingly short.
The recycled ball came to Sexton and he fired a pass out, intended for winger Zane Kirchner, but Ben Te’o got in the way and knocked it on.
Neither side managed to create clear opportunities although it was the home team that finished strongest and on the attack but will be just happy this week to get any kind of a win.