Isa Nacewa’s try on the hour mark proved just enough for Leinster to return to the top of the GUINNESS PRO12 table as they survived late pressure from Cardiff Blues to secure a narrow 14-13 victory. Leinster entered this game with the best defence in the GUINNESS PRO12, having conceded just 13 tries, and that record didn’t look in threat as the first half saw Ian Madigan kick two penalties to Gareth Anscombe’s one for a narrow 6-3 lead. With the wind causing havoc at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park it was more of the same after the break until captain Nacewa dotted down to hand Leinster some breathing space. The Blues did break Leinster’s impressive rearguard though as Josh Navidi went over with two minutes remaining, Rhys Patchell’s conversion bringing the hosts to within a point. But as Patchell looked to win it with a last-gasp drop goal, Eoin Reddan blocked the ball and Cardiff’s record against Leinster now reads one win in their last 19 games. The Blues took the game to Leinster from the off and strong bursts from Kristian Dacey and No.8 Manoa Vosawai saw the home side win a penalty, Anscombe knocking over the first points of the game with a little help from Blaine Scully as the winger was required to hold the ball at a wet and windy BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. But moments later the visitors proved their strength up top as they won a penalty at a scrum, Madigan levelling proceedings. It was a similar story as Leinster dominated the next two scrums but the province couldn’t make it a hat-trick as Cardiff wheeled it around and won back possession. However, the home side’s resurgence was halted as they were pinged for offside, although Madigan struck the right post and Scully ran the ball upfield. The wind was causing havoc as a Lloyd Williams high kick went over his own head, so Madigan opted to go low with a kick that looked to have Fergus McFadden over, but he spilled the ball going over the whitewash having survived the big hit from Patchell. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Alex Cuthbert broke the length of the field and Williams collected the ball from Patchell before McFadden came in with the no-armed tackle and earning himself a yellow card. But there were sighs of relief from the Leinster faithful when Anscombe pushed the resulting penalty wide. Leinster survived being a man light as McFadden returned to the pitch on 35 minutes, and the visitors even went in at half-time 6-3 ahead as Madigan fired over his second penalty. Four minutes after the restart the hosts were level as Anscombe split the posts with his second penalty of the afternoon. But at the other end Leinster were still dominating at scrum time and Madgian nodded the visitor’s back in front with a penalty from in front of the posts. And the Leinster stretched their lead on the hour mark with the first try of the game, Jack Conlan breaking down the short side and feeding Nacewa to score, Madigan failing to add the extras. Cardiff pushed for a score of their own and with ten minutes left a break from Tom James saw Jordi Murphy sin binned for slowing down play. The penalty was kicked to the corner but the Blues failed to get over from five metres out and Leinster survived. But with two minutes left the Blues had a try of their own as Navidi went over, Patchell nailing the tough conversion to close the gap to just a point. Patchell then looked to win it with a late drop goal but Reddan was out quick to charge the ball down and Leinster saw the game out. 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.
