RUGBY
Cronin’s try crucial for Leinster in low scoring win
By Daire Walsh
A 37TH-MINUTE try from Sean Cronin was crucial at the RDS on Friday night, when Leinster had five points (8-3) to spare in a low-scoring Guinness Pro12 encounter with Ulster.
Prior to the province’s heavy home defeat against Wasps in the European Rugby Champions Cup, Isa Nacewa was a late withdrawal through injury. With a gruelling schedule ahead of them, this game was identified as an opportunity to rest the club captain, but after Rob Kearney failed to recover from a pulled hamstring sustained on Thursday afternoon, Nacewa was restored to the Leinster starting line-up.
However, given that he had fulfilled the role in the days leading up to the clash, it was decided that Naas’ Jamie Heaslip would act as skipper for the third time in four games. James Tracy was also included amongst the replacements for the visit of Les Kiss’ charges to Ballsbridge, and he was joined by former MU Barnhall underage star, and current international loosehead prop, Marty Moore. Following their recent struggles in Europe, the Blues needed a strong performance in their opening interprovincial derby of the season, and they broke the deadlock with just six minutes gone on the clock. Jonathan Sexton converted a routine penalty for the hosts, but even though Paddy Jackson was off-target from the kicking tee on nine minutes, he eventually restored parity from a similar opportunity just five minutes later. When you consider the counter-attacking potential of both sides (Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy featured on the wings for the visitors), there was some hope that this could prove to be an end-to-end contest.
As it transpired, try-scoring chances were at a premium during the opening period, but with just three minutes remaining in the half, a powerful Leinster line-out maul was finished off by Cronin. This was a significant confidence boost for Leinster, and they dominated territorial possession during the third-quarter. Ulster continued to defend stoutly, however, and although Josh Van Der Flier almost secured the home team’s second try on 55 minutes, he was ultimately held up just shy of the line.
Another Leinster score would have eased the tension in the stands, and the loss of Noel Reid through injury on 73 minutes (just six minutes after he had replaced Sexton) was a late set-back. Yet, Leinster managed to secure a hard-earned win in the end, and they now find themselves in fourth place in the Pro12 table.
With Connacht securing a magnificent victory over Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday, it was a busy weekend for all four provinces, but the Ulster Bank League also continued to gather pace. Naas travelled to Fitzgerald Park for a Division 2A clash against Thomond, and their impressive 29-10 success means that they currently occupy second spot in the fourth-tier table.
Their north Kildare counterparts, MU Barnhall, have made a difficult start in Division 2B, but they claimed a 12-point triumph (17-5) at home to Greystones in the Maynooth University Grounds on Saturday afternoon, and have now recorded three wins from eight league outings to date.