Leinster Close Gap In Six Try Thriller

The game of the round was played at Donnybrook where the in-form Ospreys scored three tries. But they were not enough to prevent Leinster close the margin at the top of the Magners League to two points with six tries of their own.

MAGNERS LEAGUE: Saturday, January 6

Leinster 45 Ospreys 22, Donnybrook
Scorers: Leinster: Tries: Rob Kearney (2), Brian O’Driscoll (2), Denis Hickie, Jonathan Sexton, Keith Gleeson; Con: Felipe Contepomi (5); Pen: Contepomi

Ospreys: Tries: Stefan Terblanche, Brent Cockbain, Richie Pugh; Con: Shaun Connor (2); Pen: Connor.

The visitors, in top form over the festive period, arrived at Donnybrook looking to overturn Leinster’s magnificent home record.

Unfortunately for them, however, Leinster were in no mood to indulge them, although it took a second-half barrage of tries to secure the win.

At the end of the first quarter it was an altogether tighter affair thanks to tit-for-tat scoring. Rob Kearney and Brent Cockbain scored tries for Leinster and the Ospreys respectively, and with kickers Felipe Contepomi and Shaun Connor both on target with a penalty and conversion apiece the scores were tied at eight-all.

The second quarter was just as tight with the only scoring coming from Brian O’Driscoll’s try and Contepomi’s conversion.

Leinster cut loose in the second half and with three tries in eight minutes for Denis Hickie, O’Driscoll and Kearney – all converted by Contepomi – gave them an unassailable lead.

But the Ospreys didn’t give up and with Connor-converted tries from Stefan Terblanche and Richie Pugh they were back in the hunt at 38-22.

However the deficit was too much and Keith Gleeson’s late try sealed the Leinster win.