Magners League: Round 17 Review
Having led from the front since December, Leinster managed to secure the Magners League title following an impressive 41-8 victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons at the RDS on Saturday. It is the province’s second Celtic success having been the winners of the inaugural league trophy back in 2001.
Director of Celtic Rugby, David Jordan, said: “Congratulations must go to Leinster for the manner in which they have won the 2007/08 Magners League title.
“Their success on the pitch has been matched by that off it as their first season at the RDS has been a huge success. Saturday proved to be a great day for players and fans alike.”
Maurice Breen, Director of Marketing and New Markets, Wm. Magner, added: “We would like to offer our congratulations to everyone at Leinster for their success. Leinster are deserving winners of this year’s Magners League title.
“They have proved themselves to be worthy champions over the course of the season which has seen the competition continue to increase in profile and status.”
2007/08 MAGNERS LEAGUE – AFTER ROUND 17:
TOP TRY SCORERS –
9 – Tom James (Cardiff Blues)
7 – Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Regan King (Llanelli Scarlets)
6 – Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster)
5 – Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Morgan Stoddart (Llanelli Scarlets)
TOP POINTS SCORERS –
153 – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) (5 tries, 13 conversions, 31 penalty goals and 3 drop goals)
130 – Paul Warwick (Munster) 3 tries, 14 conversions and 29 penalty goals)
126 – Felipe Contepomi (Leinster) (21 conversions and 28 penalty goals)
105 – Rhys Priestland (Llanelli Scarlets) (2 tries, 16 conversions and 21 penalty goals)
103 – Shaun Connor (Ospreys) (1 try, 7 conversions, 25 penalty goals and 3 drop goals)
99 – Phil Godman (Edinburgh) (1 try, 17 conversions, 19 penalty goals and 1 drop goal)
82 – Tim Donnelly (Connacht) (1 try, 4 conversions, 19 penalty goals and 4 drop goals)
BEST GOAL KICKERS –
80% – David Blair (Edinburgh) (8 successful kicks out of 10 attempts)
76.67% – Tim Donnelly (Connacht) (23/30)
76.56% – Felipe Contepomi (Leinster) (49/64)
75.86% – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) (44/58)
75% – Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets) (24/32)
72.73% – Shaun Connor (Ospreys) (32/44)
71.74% – Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues) (33/46)
71.43% – James Hook (Ospreys) (35/45)
71.15% – Rhys Priestland (Llanelli Scarlets) (37/52)
70% – Aled Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons) (21/30)
Qual: 10 place kicks at goal
RESULTS ROUND-UP –
Friday, May 2, 2008 at Sportsground
Connacht (6) 11: Colm Rigney(T) Troy Nathan(2P)
Cardiff Blues (15) 39: Ben White(T) Ben Blair(4C/2P) Tom James(T) Gareth Williams(T) Xavier Rush(T) Gareth Thomas(T)
Attendance: 1,463
Connacht v Cardiff Blues Match Report
Friday, May 2, 2008 at Liberty Stadium
Ospreys (12) 18: James Hook(6P)
Edinburgh (7) 19: Nick De Luca(T) Alan MacDonald(T) Calum MacRae(2C) Allister Hogg(T)
Attendance: 7,625
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Royal Dublin Society
Leinster (20) 41: Chris Whitaker(T) Felipe Contepomi(4C/P) Shane Horgan(T) Shane Jennings(T) Cameron Jowitt(T) Ollie Le Roux(2T)
Newport Gwent Dragons (3) 8: Adam Black(T) Ceri Sweeney(P)
Attendance: 17,260
Leinster v Newport Gwent Dragons Match Report
Post-Match Audio
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Ravenhill
Ulster (12) 24: Tommy Bowe(T) Isaac Boss(T) Paddy Wallace(2C) Simon Danielli(T) Roger Wilson(T)
Glasgow Warriors (15) 35: John Beattie(T) Thom Evans(T) Max Evans(T) Dan Parks(3C/3P) Lome Fa’atau(T)
Attendance: 6,592
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors Match Report
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Stradey Park
Llanelli Scarlets (20) 23: Matthew Watkins(T) Dafydd James(T) Stephen Jones(2C/3P)
Munster (5) 24: Paul Warwick(T/2P) Ian Dowling(2T) Ronan O’Gara(P)
Attendance: 7,020
Llanelli Scarlets v Munster Match Report