Deegan on double as Leinster grind it out
LEINSTER survived a fightback by hosts Zebre to extend their lead at the top of the Pro 14’s Conference B with a bonus point triumph.
The defending champions had stormed into a 21-point lead in the first half, but were pegged back in a dramatic turnaround that saw them go into half-time just two points to the good.
However they regrouped and came out to record a fourth try and take maximum points for the 10th time this season.
They got off to a fine start, with Max Deegan touching down after a rolling maul. Dave Kearney then doubled the lead and Ross Byrne scored his first try in the competition and after adding the points with the boot, had Leinster 21-0 up.
They were given a shock when the hosts struck back, forcing a knock-on in midfield before Francois Brummer touched down.
Jamie Elliott intercepted a ball in the middle of the park to make it a quickfire double and Gabriele Di Giulio ensured it was three tries in less than 10 minutes as Zebre dragged themselves back into the contest.
The break came at a good time for the European champions and after Barry Daly had a try disallowed, Scott Fardy restored the lead only for Brummer to pull one back with a quarter of the game still remaining.
Another swift attack by the visitors was finished off by Conor O’Brien before Deegan rounded off the scoring with a sixth try.
ZEBRE: F Brummer; G Di Giulio, G Bisegni, T Boni, J Elliot (P Balekana 8, Elliot 16); C Canna, J Renton; D Rimpelli (D Fischetti 63), O Fabiani (L Luus 63), G Zilocchi (Chistolini 5); S Ortis (J Brown 78), G Biagi (A Tauyavuca 59); M Mbandá, J Tuivati, G Licata.
SCORERS: Tries - F Brummer (2), J Elliot, G Di Giulo. Cons - C Canna (2).
LEINSTER: D Kearney; A Byrne (R Byrne 69), R O’Loughlin, C O’Brien, B Daly; R Byrne (N Reid 61), J Gibson-Park (H O’Sullivan 77); J McGrath (P Dooley 49), J Tracy (B Byrne 49), A Porter (M Bent 49); R Moloney, S Fardy; J Murphy (M Kearney 61), M Deegan, C Doris. Scorers: Tries - M Deegan (2), D Kearney, S Fardy, C O’Brien, R Byrne. Cons - R Byrne (5). Referee: I Davies (WRU).