| Lions Survive Ospreys Comeback |
Leinster |
35 - 21 |
Ospreys |
| Donnybrook Att: 2,500 |
| Referee: David Changleng |
| Friday 19th September 2003, 19:30 |
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| Leinster Lions bounced back from two consecutive defeats with a 35-21 victory over the Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Donnybrook. |
The Lions scored three tries in the first period, and went into the half-time interval looking assured with a 21-9 advantage, but the Ospreys made a fight of it in the second period, treating the 2,500 fans to an excellent cup-tie.
Third-choice fly-half Matt Leek netted 20 points, displaying agility with the ball in hand to give coach Gary Ella confidence that his back-up squad can come in an compete.
Leek has two maestros’ to learn from, the former Wasps man is behind Christian Warner and Felipe Contepomi in the pecking order for then No. 10 shirt.
He shrugged off the disappointment of missing an early long-range penalty, to score Leinster's first try in the sixth minute, which he then converted himself.
Leinster were in command of the match in the first quarter, and their pressure was rewarded with a try the 20th minute. Impressive scrum-half Brian O'Riordan broke the line to feed John McWeeney for a second try, again converted by Leek.
Gavin Henson, who after his prefect 10 performance for Wales against Romania last month, is looking like a player destined to fulfil the potential he has promised to deliver, got the Ospreys up and running with a penalty.
But soon after the Ospreys were reduced to 14 men when Lyndon Bateman was sent to the sin bin.
Almost immediately a try from Des Dillon, converted by Leek, stretched the Leinster advantage, and all seemed to be going to plan for the home side. But two more Henson penalties kept Neath-Swansea in touch, 21-9, at half-time.
The second half began with an Ospreys try from Elvis Seveali'I, butLeek continued his one man wrecking mission with an exquisite drop goal that kept the Lions ahead.
But again the Ospreys hit back, this time from Henson, who converted his own try to bring the visitors to within three points of their hosts.
Leek increased Leinster's lead, however, with a penalty when flanker Steve Tandy was sin-binned for a deliberate offside.
The Ospreys heaped the pressure on the home line but Leinster weathered the storm and won another penalty in the 78th minute, which Leek took successfully, before Warner made sure of victory with a fine solo run from inside his own half.
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