Leinster come from behind
Leinster rallied in the closing minutes to score a 26-18 Magners League victory against Connacht.
Last Updated: 03/01/09 12:25pm
Leinster had to come from behind to prevent another shock defeat against Connacht, the Magners League champions rallying in the closing minutes at the RDS to score a 26-18 victory.
The home side had appeared on course to avenge October's shock 19-18 loss following a quick break inside the opening five minutes, but the visitors fought back to take an 18-14 lead - all their points coming from the boot of Ian Keatley.
However, Leinster fought back late on and tries from Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald saw them edge a nailbiting win.
They began the match strongly, with Isa Nacewa - playing once again at fly-half - breaking free. Stephen Keogh was halted five metres short of Connacht's line but the home pack pushed Trevor Hogan over.
However, Felipe Contepomi missed the conversion and Connacht started to put up a real contest, with former Leinster Academy player Keatley booting an eighth-minute penalty.
A touch judge then ruled that Fitzgerald had put a foot into touch before crossing the try-line, which would have given Michael Cheika's side some breathing space.
Instead Connacht came back again - a Keatley drop goal attempt just missing before he and Contepomi exchanged penalties to leave Leinster 8-6 ahead after 15 minutes.
Indiscipline
Both packs showed indiscipline around the scrum and ruck area, with Connacht prop John Lyne sin-binned and Leinster prop Stan Wright warned. Contepomi and then Keatley therefore added to their tallies before half time.
A last-minute penalty from Keatley could have sent Connacht into the lead at the break but his effort sailed wide, meaning Leinster went into the interval 14-12 ahead.
Keatley opened the second half with a penalty and increased Connacht's lead to 18-14 following Wright's sin-binning for a punch-up. But what told for the visitors was the inability of his team-mates to match his own contribution.
Kearney showed a fine burst of pace to go over in the 68th minute and dent Connacht's chances of the double - replacements Malcolm O'Kelly, Cian Healy and Brian O'Driscoll then giving Leinster the boost they needed in the closing 10 minutes.
Nacewa danced past three Connacht players before releasing Rocky Elsom who, in turn, sent O'Driscoll clear. The break finished with a dubious pass which Fitzgerald took and touched down underneath the posts.
Contepomi then added the conversion to deny Connacht a deserved losing bonus point.
