Dragons tamed by Leinster
Leinster boosted their chances of securing a spot in the Magners League play-offs with a 26-16 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.
Last Updated: 27/03/11 5:47pm
Leinster boosted their chances of securing a spot in the Magners League play-offs with a 26-16 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.
The fourth-placed side had trailed 13-10 at the interval, but 11 second-half points from fly-half Jonathan Sexton and a penalty try secured the win.
Adam Hughes scored the Dragons' only try, while Isaac Boss replied for the visitors before Aled Brew's sin-binning proved crucial as Leinster grabbed the penalty try while he was off the field.
Leinster welcomed back a number of Ireland internationals, including Sexton who gave his side the lead with an early penalty.
The hosts' fly-half Jason Tovey then missed a relatively easy attempt of his own but the Welsh side were to score the opening try in the 22nd minute.
Tackle
A brilliant tackle by Brew on Luke Fitzgerald saw the ball run loose, with Wayne Evans moving it out to speedy centre Hughes, who raced away for the 60-metre score.
Tovey added the extras for a 7-3 lead but Leinster quickly hit back as Scrum-half Boss grabbed the ball at a ruck before skilfully placing it on the line, with the video referee confirming the try.
Another penalty then edged the Dragons back ahead going into the break, but the game was stepped up a notch in the second half.
Hughes almost scored another try but was brought down just short of the line and could not stretch far enough to touch down.
Sexton then added another two penalties to his tally to give Leinster a 16-13 lead, the second coming after Brew had tripped up an attacker inside the 22 and was shown the yellow card.
Video referee Tony Rowlands was called into action again when Tovey produced an outstanding tackle on Luke Fitzgerald to prevent a Leinster score in the corner.
Penalty try
But referee Andy McPherson awarded Leinster a penalty try when the Dragons scrum collapsed and wheeled on their line, allowing Sexton an easy conversion under the posts.
Another Sexton penalty on the hour, this time from 45 metres out, put Leinster 10 points to the good.
Brew had a brilliant chance to bring the home side back into the contest when Toby Faletau put him away with 30 metres to go, but the wing dropped the pass.
Leinster controlled the territory as the game entered the closing stages and only a couple of last-ditch tackles denied the Irishmen more tries.
Full-back Isikeli Nacewa almost got a third Leinster try but was hauled down five metres short, but the Irish side had already done enough to secure the win.
