Leinster unable to cross Borders

Borders ... 23 Leinster ... 17: Leinster's shadow side came frustratingly close to toppling the Borders at Netherdale last night with a second-half display that severely dented the confidence of the home side.

But it was not enough to prevent Borders from marking the opening of their new pitch in Galashiels with a victory.

Some consolation for Leinster coach Matt Williams was the display of wingers Gordon D'Arcy and John McWeeney, who caused problems in the Borders defence, and the fringe defence of Des Dillon and veteran Victor Costello.

Borders started explosively and led by 13-0 at half-time with Kevin Utterson scoring a try.

A Brian O'Meara penalty for a high tackle on Shane Horgan reduced the lead, but the effect was a spur to Borders who roared back with a try by number eight Semo Sititi.

Then, with Borders down to 14 men after flanker Matt Taylor was sin-binned for a late tackle, Leinster produced a brilliant individual score by McWeeney, who evaded three tackles before veering infield to score under the posts. O'Meara converted.

A further yellow card - this time shown to prop Paul Thomson - left Borders with just 13 players, a disadvantage that was exploited by Leinster with a move sparked by D'Arcy which ended with lock Ben Gissing crashing over in the corner for an unconverted try.

A second penalty by O'Meara cut Borders' lead to just two points, but, despite a storming finish that all but produced a try for Gavin Hickie, it was Borders who had the final say with a third penalty goal by Utterson.

BORDERS: T Vili; N Walker, J Stuart, K Utterson, C Moir; G Townsend, G Armstrong (capt); P Thomson, S Scott, B Douglas, D Weir, R Metcalfe, C Feather, S Sititi, M Taylor. Replacements: S Paterson for Moir (27 mins), C Stewart for Metcalfe (68 mins).

LEINSTER: C Warner; J McWeeney, K Lewis, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; A Dunne, B O'Meara; E Byrne, P Smyth (capt), N Treston, B Gissing, A Kearney, D Dillon, V Costello, L Toland. Replacements: P Coyle for Byrne (55 mins), G Hickie for Smyth (58 mins), N Breslin for Gissing (72 mins), D Quinlan for Dunne (45 mins).

Referee: H Watkins (Wales).