RUGBY: Leinster held off a spirited second-half fightback by Melrose in Donnybrook Stadium yesterday evening to run out 42-20 winners — scoring five tries in the process.
The win secured back-to-back victories in the British & Irish Cup. The Blues had enjoyed a dream start with a well-worked try from hooker Aaron Dundon just two minutes in.
And even though out-half Scott Wight got Melrose on the scoreboard with a penalty three minutes later, Leinster soon had their second try of the evening through Conor Gilsenan. The subsequent conversion was brilliantly slotted over by Leinster No 10 Noel Reid, who was also on hand to kick over two penalties in the 22nd and 31st minutes.
The home side would go on to finish the half in much the same way as they started, as converted tries from Mark Flanagan and Brendan Macken gave them an insurmountable 32-6 mid-way advantage.
Leinster came out of the traps quickly once more in the second period with a 46th minute try from Macken, and despite two excellent tries from the Scottish outfit via backs Allan Dodds and Fraser Thompson, a 64th minute try from replacement Luke McGrath helped Leinster to ease towards victory.