Leinster's phenomenal home record continued as their clinical performance saw them beat Llanelli Scarlets 26-15. It was a spirited performance by the Welsh side, but they were unable to score the points their performance deserved and they now find themselves behind Cardiff Blues in the running for a playoff spot.
First Half
After seeing his team start so brightly, Scarlets coach Nigel Davies would have been very disappointed to see his side go behind after 9 minutes when Leinster's Niall Morris easily skipped his way past Rhys Priestland to score the first try of the game. (Leinster 5-0 Scarlets) Jonathan Sexton, back from international duty with Ireland, converted the try. (Leinster 7-0 Scarlets)
With 15 minutes of the first half played at the Royal Dublin Showground, Llanelli had the opportunity to put some points on the board when Leinster's Stan Wright conceded a penalty after he failed to roll away from a tackle. Rhys Priestland, however, missed the kick from just over the half way line.
The Scarlets were playing with great confidence and had plenty of the ball, but for all of the possession they had, they found themselves even further behind after 18 minutes when Jonathan Sexton scored a penalty after Josh Turnbull needlessly put his hands into a ruck. (Leinster 10-0 Scarlets)
It took 26 minutes for the away side to score their first points of the game after Jonathan Sexton was caught offside and with referee Andy MacPherson giving the Scarlets the advantage, Gareth Maule showed great strength running with the ball but play was brought back to the earlier penalty which Rhys Priestland scored. (Leinster 10-3 Scarlets)
Leinster were keen to end the first half on a high with successive attacks, however, Scarlets' defence held firm and the score at half time was Leinster 10-3 Scarlets.
Second Half
Leinster flew out of the blocks and after only one minute of the second half had passed, they found themselves even further ahead when Jonathan Sexton scored a penalty after the Scarlets defence were unable to roll away from their tackles after being put under a lot of pressure from the Irish side. (Leinster 13-3 Scarlets)
The home side were now in the ascendancy, and after 50 minutes, the reliable boot of Jonathan Sexton extended Leinster's lead after Josh Turnbull was penalised for being in an offside position. (Leinster 16-3 Scarlets)
Only four minutes later, Josh Turnbull conceded another penalty as the open side flanker was again caught in an offside position. Jonathan Sexton's kick added another three points to the home side's increasing tally. (Leinster 19-3 Scarlets)
It took until the 60th minute for the Scarlets to get back into the game and it was Rhys Thomas who eventually scored the away side's first try of the match after the Scarlets' forwards showed great strength to break through Leinster's defensive line. (Leinster 19-8 Scarlets) Rhys Priestland added the extra two points. (Leinster 19-10 Scarlets)
The next ten minutes were scoreless with the Scarlets doing everything in their power to build on Rhys Thomas' try but the away side's hopes of a late comeback were dashed in the 74th minute when captain Gareth Maule was caught offside. Having previously been warned of the offence on numerous occasions, Andy MacPherson had no option but to sin bin the Llanelli number 12.
It took only minutes for Leinster to capitalise on their numerical advantage when Isaac Boss's dummy pass gave him space to convert the home side's second try of the match ultimately sealing the points for Leinster. (Leinster 24-10 Scarlets)The try was converted by Jonathan Sexton. (Leinster 26-10 Scarlets)
It was the Scarlets, however, that ended the game as the better side when a good spell of pressure eventually saw substitute Nick Reynolds score a try in the 79th minute of the match, but Rhys Priestland was unable to convert the try. (Leinster 26-15 Scarlets)
Full Time
Leinster's much improved second half performance combined with the Scarlets' inability to convert the points their first half possession deserved ultimately saw the home side win at the RDS.
Man of the Match- Dominic Ryan (Leinster)
Leinster
Tries: Niall Morris (1), Isaac Boss (1)
Conversions: Jonathan Sexton (2)
Penalty Goals: Jonathan Sexton (4)
Scarlets
Tries: Rhys Thomas (1), Nick Reynolds (1)
Conversions: Rhys Priestland (1)
Penalty Goals: Rhys Priestland (1)
