League leaders Connacht stayed atop the GUINNESS PRO12 standings after they edged an intense clash with second-placed Leinster at the Sportsground. The hosts had won their last six matches in all tournaments, five of those with maximum points, but this one was by the skin of their teeth with Kieran Marmion grabbing the only try of a game where defences ruled the roost. The 24-year-old touched down after 13 minutes, with Leinster battling against a brutal wind in the first half and not troubling the scorers. And despite Ian Madigan’s two penalties after the interval, a heroic effort from Connacht kept their visitors at bay to stretch their lead at the summit of the table. With the GUINNESS PRO12’s second-most successful attack going head-to-head with the league’s statistically best defence, something had to give – and a ferocious wind in Galway did Leinster no favours in a tricky first half. The Leinstermen had won all three matches they have played against fellow Irish provinces this season and lost just once to Connacht in their last six encounters, but rode their luck as their hosts threw wave after wave of attack at them in an intense opening 10 minutes. Connacht were camped inside the Leinster 22, but Luke McGrath forced an important turnover before Dominic Ryan made not one, but four huge hits in defence. Pat Lam’s men had to make do with the early loss of Nathan White to injury, but it did not seem to hamper them as they brought on Ireland international Finlay Bealham for his 50th appearance, and finally forced the game’s opening score after 13 minutes. Scrum-half Marmion made the breakthrough, chasing down an inch-perfect chip from winger Niyi Adeolokun to dot down, with No.10 AJ MacGinty adding the extras. The fly-half continued to build the pressure, pinging a kick from his own 10m line deep into Leinster territory, but Luke Fitzgerald – enjoying his 150th appearance for the boys in blue – soon forced another brilliant turnover. Leinster finally looked to mount an attack on the half-hour mark, but when Cian Healy was penalised for holding on MacGinty was given a shot at goal from just short of halfway. The wind was at his back but his kick was still just short despite having the accuracy, and the scoreline stayed at 7-0. Leinster’s first meaningful attack of the half came with five minutes remaining, as they stole a Connacht lineout and advanced into the 22, but the ball was lost forward in contact and the hosts made it to half-time unscathed. But Madigan hit back straight after the interval for Leinster, slotting his first kick at goal perfectly from the right-hand side after a brilliant counter ruck saw Connacht penalised for not rolling away. MacGinty’s break into the Leinster 22 ten minutes later led to Leinster being penalised for a high tackle on Adeolokun, but Connacht did not trouble the scorers again as they kicked to the corner only for Ryan to steal the lineout. Both defences were impressing and as the game passed the hour mark, the score was still locked at 7-3, but a Leinster scrum soon saw an offside Marmion penalised, and Madigan’s kick brought his side within a point of Connacht. Leinster brought on their big guns in search of a winning score, with Mike Ross, Devin Toner, and Jamie Heaslip all off the bench – and the latter almost made an immediate impact as he stole the ball and tore up the pitch. But the boys in blue were agonisingly held up over the line with two minutes remaining, and as the clock wound down Connacht forced the turnover to end a thrilling contest. To buy tickets for the GUINNESS PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12.
