Leinster were made to work hard by a game Newport side in last night's Celtic League quarter-final, their third victory over the Welsh side this season and their 12th straight success. The home side scored four tries to their opponents' three in a match that was pockmarked by handling errors partially attributable to the sodden surface.
The foundation for Leinster's victory was laid by their pack and a lightening start that saw them race into a 24-3 lead. It was their ability to maximise their chances that allowed Leinster to survive a determined Newport fightback that saw the visitors come to within two points at 24-22 just after the interval.
There were several excellent performances in the pack, notably Malcolm O'Kelly, Victor Costello and Reggie Corrigan, while outhalf Nathan Spooner, Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey were prominent behind the scrum.
It was a remarkable first half. Leinster were irresistible for 20 minutes or so, scoring three tries and playing the game at a pace that threatened to rip Newport asunder.
However, instead of confirming their superiority in the speed of thought and deed, the home side's concentration and focus disappeared and it was the Welsh visitors who grasped the initiative.
Leinster's famed defence became increasingly porous as Newport managed to produce mismatches, particularly in midfield.
From being 24-3 adrift, the Welsh club rallied impressively with tries from Matt Mostyn and centre Andy Marinos. The first can be attributed to prop Adrian Garvey's strength and pass out of the tackle and Mostyn's good angle of running.
The second was created by Shane Howarth's short pass to second row Ian Gough, which took him into the Leinster 22 and, two rucks later, Marinos crept around the blindside to score in the corner. Newport had only 14 men at the time, with blindside flanker Peter Buxton in the sin bin.
Howarth kicked two conversions and a penalty to leave the visitors trailing 24-17 at the interval.
Leinster coach Matt Williams must have been ripping by the time he reached the dressing-room. He had watched his side play some of their best rugby all season.
Their first try might have been slightly fortuitous when Shane Horgan latched on to a ball popping out of a ruck just outside the Newport 22 and raced over unopposed, but the next two were beautifully conceived and executed.
Malcolm O'Kelly, who was having a fine game, won a lineout, the pack drove and, from the ruck, Nathan Spooner's great cross-kick allowed Girvan Dempsey to outjump Mostyn and touch down.
The next was even better. Victor Costello drove from the kick-off and, from the ruck, Gordon D'Arcy broke on the shortside, raced 40 metres and linked with Brian O'Driscoll.
Horgan and D'Arcy again handled and Spooner's beautifully judged chip saw Denis Hickie outpace the cover. Spooner kicked three conversions and a penalty.
The second half was similar to the end of the first, Newport playing the more constructive rugby, Leinster relying on their opponents' handling errors and some inspirational tackling from Trevor Brennan.
When Matt Watkins grabbed an early try, Leinster seemed in big trouble. But this season there is a steel to match their flair.
Spooner kicked a penalty and the outhalf's glorious break paved the way for a typical O'Driscoll surge that culminated in a try. Spooner converted but was shortly forced off following foul play at a ruck that may warrant further investigation.
It was a very disappointing end to an excellent performance from Leinster's outhalf.
SCORING SEQUENCE- 2 mins: Howarth penalty, 0-3; 5mins: Horgan try, Spooner conversion, 7-3; 9: Spooner penalty, 10-3; 15: Dempsey try, Spooner conversion, 17-3; 18: Hickie try, Spooner conversion, 24-3; 21: Mostyn try, Howarth conversion, 24-10; 30: Marinos try, Howarth con version, 24-17; 49: Watkins try, 24-22; 58: Spooner penalty, 27-22; 68: O'Driscoll try, Spooner conversion, 34-22.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; N Spooner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Wallace; L Cullen, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: T Brennan for Miller (37 mins); B Casey for Cullen (62 mins); B Willis for O'Meara (73 mins); P Coyle for Wallace (73 mins); G Hickie for Byrne (77 mins); A Magro for O'Driscoll (77 mins); P McKenna for D'Arcy.
NEWPORT: M Pini; M Mostyn, A Marinos, J Pritchard, B Breeze; S Howarth, D Burn; R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey; S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough; P Buxton, A Powell, G Gravell. Replacements: M Watkins for Pini (half-time); J Strange for Howarth (44 mins); M Voyle for Gough 66 mins; P Young for Richards 66 mins; J Powell for A Powell; C Anthony for Snow 81 mins; L lane for Burn 81 mins. Yellow card: Buxton 24-34 mins.
Referee: S Lander (England)
