Leinster Scrape Win Against Cardiff Blues At RDS In Pro12
Leinster are still sitting at the top of the Guinness Pro 12 table tonight after their win over the Cardiff Blues at the RDS.
However, as the result shows it wasn't always clean sailing for Leo Cullen's men, who only regained the lead with about 11 minutes remaining.
The game started with Leinster pressing constantly and their hard work was rewarded after only 6 minutes when Dan Leavy scored a try to give the home side an early lead. At this very point Cardiff never really looked too threatening, but that was soon to change.
In the 11th minute poor defending and simple errors, which were to become a regular pattern of the afternoon, lead to Tomos Williams scoring his first try.
Cardiff again broke the line in the 20th minute and it looked like their second score was coming, but after some excellent work by Adam Byrne the ball was eventually cleared out of the danger area.
Just before half time Luke McGrath got over the line for Leinster, but what would an afternoon in the RDS be without some drama? The TMO had to be called in to confirm the ball had been touched down, and after the reply the try was rewarded.
It was from this point the home side really started to feel the pressure, three handling errors in the back row lead to the visitors breaking the line and securing their second try, leaving things tied at 14-14 with 30 minutes remaining.
Another try from Cardiff shortly after left Leo Cullen's men with some serious problems.
Swift changes on the Leinster team lead to more of an attacking style of play by the Irish men, which was eventually rewarded by a try and penalty to seal a 1 point victory.
FINAL SCORE - Leinster 22 - Cardiff Blues 21.