Leinster A 32 Pontypridd 0COLIN McENTEE'S Leinster A qualified for the semi-final of the British and Irish Cup for the first time at Donnybrook yesterday.

Outhalf Noel Reid struck two excellent penalties and set up Conor Gilsenan for his try. Reid’s conversion took Leinster 13 points clear in the 12th minute.

Gilsenan received a yellow card for using a knee on replacement scrumhalf Garyn Lucas but once the home side survived that period, Reid cut loose for Brendan Macken to power over and then converted from the left touchline.

When centre Macken intercepted neatly to take the ball home from his own 22-metre line, Reid kicked the extras.

Prop Jack McGrath’s fast hands put wing Darren Hudson in for try number four in the 70th minute as Leinster never had to move out of second gear. There will be an open draw next Sunday for the semi-final pairings which will also included Munster A, who beat Ulster Ravens on Friday night.

LEINSTER: D Kearney; D Hudson, B Macken, C O'Shea, A Boyle; N Reid, J Cooney; J McGrath (capt), A Dundon, N White, N Keogh, M Flanagan, J Murphy, C Gilsenan, L Auva'a. Replacements: T Sexton for Dundon, C Marsh for O'Shea (both 65 mins); J O'Connell for McGrath, L McGrath for Cooney, J Conan for Gilsenan, B Daly for Reid (all 72 mins).

PONTYPRIDD: H Thomson; L Williams, G Dacey, D Lockyer, M Nuthall; S Humberstone, R Downes; C Phillips, H Dowden, P Palmer, C Hill, R Savage, C Dicomidis (capt), W O'Connor, D Godfrey. Replacements: G Lucas for Downes (12 mins); J Thomas for Savage (53 mins); R Harford for Palmer, G Williams for Lockyer (both 56 mins); T Hetherington for Godfrey (57 mins); G Wyatt for Humberstone (75 mins); R Williams for Dowden (72 mins).

Referee: Greg MacDonald (RFU).