Leinster pick up bonus point in good win over Scarlets
Defending champions Leinster scored three tries in the first half as they blew away the Scarlets with a 32-7 victory at Parc y Scarlets in the Heineken Cup.
Despite flying to a 22-0 lead in just 29 minutes, they were only able to secure the bonus point nine minutes from time, through flanker Sean O’Brien.
Shane Horgan scored a great try early on, followed by Gordon D’Arcy and Shaun Berne. Berne, playing in the absence of Jonny Sexton, provided 17 of his team’s points against the previously unbeaten Scarlets.
The hosts, missing the injured Mark Jones, Matthew Rees and Dafydd Jones, struck back in the second half with a try by Jonathan Davies, but their misery was compounded by having a player yellow carded.
Leinster have now bolstered their chances of reaching the quarter finals after they had earlier lost to London Irish in Dublin before getting things back on track against Brive.
Coach Michael Cheika was relieved that his players didn’t pay the price for complacency in the second half after they had shot out the blocks in the first.
"I was pleased with the first half and the result," said Cheika. "But we gave them too much of a look-in in the second half."
"When you play like we did in the first half you have just got to keep going. It worked out in the end. We want to make sure we eradicate that second-half performance and that mindset before Dublin next week," he added.
Time: 04:17
Despite flying to a 22-0 lead in just 29 minutes, they were only able to secure the bonus point nine minutes from time, through flanker Sean O’Brien.
Shane Horgan scored a great try early on, followed by Gordon D’Arcy and Shaun Berne. Berne, playing in the absence of Jonny Sexton, provided 17 of his team’s points against the previously unbeaten Scarlets.
The hosts, missing the injured Mark Jones, Matthew Rees and Dafydd Jones, struck back in the second half with a try by Jonathan Davies, but their misery was compounded by having a player yellow carded.
Leinster have now bolstered their chances of reaching the quarter finals after they had earlier lost to London Irish in Dublin before getting things back on track against Brive.
Coach Michael Cheika was relieved that his players didn’t pay the price for complacency in the second half after they had shot out the blocks in the first.
"I was pleased with the first half and the result," said Cheika. "But we gave them too much of a look-in in the second half."
"When you play like we did in the first half you have just got to keep going. It worked out in the end. We want to make sure we eradicate that second-half performance and that mindset before Dublin next week," he added.
Time: 04:17
Share | Tweet |
16 Comments:
good god i think im first.
shit defense outside IMO
By Anonymous, at December 13, 2009 10:30 pm
Maybe, but still some great tries. Horgan looked sharp for that try, and some nice hands for the others.
Thanks RD.
By Scotsdale, at December 13, 2009 10:39 pm
Horgan threw a dummy and the defence was asleep
By Berne, at December 13, 2009 11:19 pm
Jesus Shaggy!!!
By Anonymous, at December 13, 2009 11:44 pm
Holy crap Heaslip is good
By Oli, at December 13, 2009 11:46 pm
I thought Leinster wing Isa Nacewa was sensational in the first half, and the stars of Leinster all shone with Kearney, Heaslip, O'Brian, Cullen, Reddan and stand in stand-off Shaun Berne all putting in international standard performances in team that looked strong from 1 to 15.
Leinster were really impressive, playing quickly with precision and giving a masterclass on how to attack the inside shoulder of the flailing Scarlets defence.
Great game, great result. I think the defending champions have got the bit between their teeth now. The Scarlets should be worried about their trip to the RDS next week!
By Bamberio, at December 13, 2009 11:52 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
By I am not a Jones and I, at December 14, 2009 12:18 am
your comments are crap.
that aside we are having a terrible season.
By gary, at December 14, 2009 12:42 am
Great result for Leinster. Serious pace showed - v difficult to play against a team moving that fast. There had three tries up in no time.
(BTW Is it too late for Shane Horgan to improve his tackling?)
By mise, at December 14, 2009 12:51 am
shaggy comin bak to his best? tommy bowe will take some dislodging from d ireland wing all the same. berne never looked dat good wen he was wit bath, heaslip must b d bst 8 in world rugby rite now
By Unknown, at December 14, 2009 1:08 am
Does anyone think that all the talk that the commentators kept saying about Jonathon Davies is a bit...unwarranted? They were going on about him as if he was the best thing since sliced bread, whereas I only saw him score the try(a missed tackle) and make one good tackle on McLoughlin. I barely even noticed him for the rest of it.
By Kearney for tests, at December 14, 2009 2:26 am
Simon, learn to speak properly.
Pierre Spies is the best #8 in the world.
By Del sundo, at December 14, 2009 7:43 am
Del Sundo. Er no. He's not. neither is Heaslip though.
Looks like the Irish are on bit of a high at the moment.
By Andy, at December 14, 2009 12:21 pm
There was a superb driving tackle on Heaslip in this game (I think it was by a Scarlets centre). They lifted him up and carried him back about 5 metres - any chance of it being put up?
By jmark, at December 14, 2009 12:56 pm
that was on Maclaughlin not Heaslip. Veryy impressive it was too. Harinorduquy or Heaslip have to be two of the best in the world
By third centre, at December 14, 2009 7:30 pm
Wo wo wo guys. PARISSE...Awesoem rugby from Leinster joy to watch was Darcy's try!!
By Alexander, at December 15, 2009 12:15 am
Post a Comment
<< Home