Kearney hat-trick boosts Leinster

DAVE Kearney scored a hat-trick of tries as Leo Cullen’s Leinster got the defence of their PRO14 title off to a winning start.

Kearney scored a try each side of half-time, and after Luca Sperandio touched down to give Benetton the lead with 20 minutes to go, Kearney rescued his side with his third 14 minutes from time.

Benetton, who played the last 31 minutes with 14 players after Ratuva Tavuyara saw red for taking Kearney out in the air, had cancelled out Adam Byrne’s early try with two of their own.

“We’re pleased to get a win. We feel a little bit fortunate – it was tough for Benetton going down to 14 men but they stuck at it really well,” said Cullen.

“My players showed good composure to come up with the scores to win, but it was mixed fare from us.”

Ross Byrne had kicked Leinster ahead early on, and after 15 minutes Adam Byrne crossed on the right for a 10-0 lead.

Benetton slowly grew into the game and tries from Derrick Appiah and

Tomas Baravalle gave them a 14-10 lead. But just before the break Dave Kearney gathered his own chip over the top and was driven over the line for Ross Byrne to make it 17-14 at the interval.

Three minutes after the restart Keatley levelled matters with his first successful penalty, but after Tavuyara’s red, Kearney crossed for his second in the 51st minute.

A Keatley penalty cut the deficit before Luca Sperandio scored a great try following a loose Leinster kick to out Benetton 27-22 ahead, but Kearney levelled with his third try and Ross Byrne’s conversion edged Leinster ahead and they held on to win.