Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SHONE MOLONY
Leinster’s outstanding Ross grabs winner in battle of the Blues
ROSS MOLONY dotted down the crucial try as Leinster moved another step closer to the Pro12 play-offs with victory over Cardiff Blues at a sun-kissed RDS.
And man of the match Rhys Ruddock believes the tough test will benefit them as they prepare to take on Wasps in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup next weekend.
“Credit to them for coming over here and putting on a display like that. They really punished us when we gave them loose ball,” he said.
“That’s something we need to be mindful of for next week. We need to be a bit smarter and more clinical in what we do,” said Ruddock.
There were perfect condi- tions for rugby and both sides attacked from the off with Dan Leavy and Tomos Williams swapping early tries.
Leinster began brilliantly and scored a try within five minutes when Leavy showed deft handling down the right wing to spin past Matthew Morgan and touch down.
Cardiff had lost five from five against the Irish provinces but hit back and Blaine Scully combined with Rey Lee-Lo on the touchline – his pass sent Tomos Williams free for a try unopposed.
Steven Shingler kicked the conversion and the sides were level and even though Leinster hadn’t lost at home in any competition since December 2015, they nearly went behind in the 22nd minute when Scully was inches away in the left corner.
Cardiff Blues had lost three in a row on the road before they beat Edinburgh 18-17 at Myreside on February 24 and they played with confidence in Dublin, with Alex Cuthbert central to their efforts.
But it was Leinster who scored next. Cardiff were left to rue their missed chance when Luke McGrath crashed over after Michael Bent was held up just short. Byrne kicked the conversion and Leinster led 14-7 at halftime.
The hosts had won six in a row in the Pro12 prior to this game, their last reversal coming in the game away to Munster in Round 11.
Everything pointed towards Leinster extending their lead after the interval but a poor kick from Isa Nacewa was intercepted by Gareth Anscombe. The ball found its way to Tomos Williams and he strolled in for his second try in the 47th minute.
Steven Shingler’s conversion levelled the game again, and despite Ross Byrne’s penalty in the 55th minute, Cardiff held their heads and went in front before the hour.
Bennett raced in when Lee-Lo was heavily involved again, and Leinster looked in real trouble.
But to their credit they didn’t panic and Molony scored the winning try in the 67th minute.
LEINSTER: Tries: Leavy, McGrath, Molony Con: R Byrne 2
CARDIFF: Tries: T Williams 2, Bennett Con: Shingler 3