Leinster struggle to seal victory

CELTIC LEAGUE/Leinster 31 Glasgow 30: Leinster were let off the hook at Donnybrook last night. Five minutes into injury time Glasgow outhalf Dan Parks had a chance to seal victory but his penalty from 40 metres went right and wide.

There were six tries in all but it was the boot, and nerve, of Brian O'Meara that separated the sides.

The return of Triple Crown heroes Girvan Dempsey and Gordon D'Arcy did little to sharpen Leinster's cutting edge as Glasgow moved into a 14-6 lead after 26 minutes. Dempsey eventually made some decent forays into the line but he had an off-colour night.

Glasgow's first try came after a Dan Parks grubber took a wicked deflection before landing in the hands of Glenn Metcalfe, who cantered under the posts.

O'Meara landed two penalties but even with referee Nigel Williams awarding generous penalties, the Leinster defence contrived to leave holes as international hooker Gordon Bulloch crossed near the uprights for try number two.

Gray Ella's charges responded and gained the upper hand up front when Glasgow openside Donnie Macfadyen was sin-binned for repeated infringement. Niall Ronan thrived in his absence. Also, James Downey's early introduction for the injured Matt Leek gave them a better shape, especially with Felipe Contepomi at stand-off.

After a succession of drives Ben Gissing crossed wide on the right on the half-hour mark. Four minutes later they were in front when James Norton ran an excellent line, at pace, onto a Des Dillon pass. O'Meara converted to leave Leinster leading 18-14 at the interval.

Early in the second half Parks reduced arrears to the minimum with a penalty. They continued to come, with Rolland Reid only denied the line by a Dempsey tackle. From the recycle Parks flopped over for another soft try.

The comeback did not emanate from established players but rather a combination of those trying to make a name for themselves. Gary Brown broke up the right before offloading to Downey; O'Meara converted.

The scrumhalf moved to 16 points with two more penalties but Parks kept it interesting with two kicks. However, he was unable to replicate O'Meara's composure when the stakes were at the highest.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 15 mins: B O'Meara pen, 3-0; 19: G Metcalfe try, 3-5; D Parks conv, 3-7; 25: O'Meara pen, 6-7; 26: G Bulloch try, 6-12; Parks conv, 6-14; 31: B Gissing try, 11-14; 35: J Norton try, 16-14; O'Meara conv, 18-14. Half-time. 44: Parks pen, 18-17; 51: Parks try, 18-22; Parks conv, 18-24; 58: J Downey try, 23-24; O'Meara conv, 25-24; 70: O'Meara pen, 28-24; 74: Parks pen, 28-27; 77: O'Meara pen, 31-27; 78: Parks pen, 31-30.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; G Brown, F Contepomi, G D'Arcy, J Norton; M Leek, B O'Meara; J Lyne, D Blaney, P Coyle; A Kearney, B Gissing; A McCullen, N Ronan, D Dillon. Replacements: J Downey for Leek (12 mins); B Blaney for D Blaney (76 mins); S Crawford for Ronan (81 mins).

GLASGOW: G Metcalfe; D Millard, G Morrison, A Henderson, S Lamont; D Parks, G Beveridge; A Kelly, G Bulloch, E Murray; A Hall, N Ross; R Reid, D Macfadyen, J Petrie. Replacements: R McKay for Hall (59 mins).

Referee: N Williams (WRU).