Leinster have the edge

Four tries to none by the opposition underlined Leinster's general superiority in converting opportunities and guaranteed them victory in the Guinness Interprovincial Championship/Celtic League and a bonus point to boot in the former competition. Ulster could not be faulted for application but they lacked Leinster's cutting edge.

Keith Gleeson enjoyed another marvellous game, Gordon D'Arcy took his brace of tries superbly, Girvan Dempsey was excellent in every facet of the game and Leinster confirmed that they have a work ethic and character to match the more silken skills.

Both teams closed each other down with gusto in the early stages, although some errors were inexcusable. The ball was spilled in contact, ruck ball was poorly protected and the ball carrier was isolated time and again.

Ulster were content to largely rely on the boot of outhalf David Humphreys; not alone did he kick two first-half penalties but his punting generated huge yardage. Unfortunately for Ulster their lineout was a brittle platform, coughing up five balls against the throw. Leinster's was marginally less profligate, the home side conceding three in the opening 40 minutes.

Leinster did manage two tries, the first a somewhat bizarre score. Brian O'Driscoll's chip deep into the Ulster 22 rolled into touch. Ulster full back Paddy Wallace decided on a quick throw but could not round Malcolm O'Kelly, and the Leinster second row gratefully touched down.

Humphreys replied with a penalty before Leinster responded with a second try, the most cohesive passage of rugby in the match. Denis Hickie explored the short side on halfway, Emmet Byrne thundered up the touchline and from quick ruck ball, Nathan Spooner and O'Driscoll delivered long cut-out passes. Gordon D'Arcy took the second pass on the bounce and outpaced the defence from 25 metres.

Humphreys kicked a second penalty, Dempsey dropped a neat goal and Wallace replied with Ulster's third penalty as neither side could keep possession long enough to grab a stranglehold.

If Ulster were conservative in the first half they started the second with a flourish, offloading in the tackle in an effort to increase the tempo.

Leinster, who had lost Shane Byrne to the sin-bin just before the interval, defended solidly when short handed and indeed the visitors were to lose replacement second row Mark Blair following an altercation near his own line. The home side gradually established some continuity, Spooner kicked a penalty, before Leinster conjured a third try.

Keith Gleeson made a break, Leinster won the ruck and Eric Miller pooped a great short pass to D'Arcy, whose choice of angle was exquisite and he raced through a gap before rounding Wallace. The Leinster left wing was then asked to thwart Ulster replacement Niall Malone, the former's tackle doing enough to cause Malone to spill the ball.

Ulster were defending courageously as Leinster came within a well-timed pass of further tries. Leinster coach Matt Williams will be a little perturbed that his side did not finish some excellent approach work precisely, but will be consoled that on the night the team's performance was more than adequate.

Hickie's final flourish in injury time, his mazy run culminating in a try, guaranteed the home side a bonus point in the Guinness Interprovincial Championship. Spooner converted to seal a good evening for the home side.

SCORING SEQUENCE

7 mins: O'Kelly try, 5-0; 19: Humphreys penalty, 5-3; 24: Spooner penalty, 8-3; 26: D'Arcy try, 13-3; 34: Humphreys penalty, 13-6; Dempsey drop goal, 16-6; 38: Humphreys penalty, 16-9. Half-time: 16-9. 49: Spooner penalty, 19-9; 61: D'Arcy try 24-9. 83: Hickie try, Spooner conversion, 31-9.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; N Spooner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, E Byrne, L Cullen, M O'Kelly, E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: G Hickie for Costello (41-47 mins); T Brennan for Miller (75 mins); A Magro for D'Arcy (75 mins).

ULSTER: P Wallace; S Coulter, A Larkin, J Bell, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Best, P Johns, J Davidson, A Ward (capt), R Nelson, N McMillen. Replacements: M Blair for Johns (44 mins); R Constable for Bell (54 mins); C Boyd for Best (72 mins); T McWhirter for Ward (72 mins); N Malone for Humphreys (72 mins); K Campbell for Doak (78 mins).

Referee: N Williams (Wales).

Sin-Binned: S Byrne (Leinster) 37-47 mins; M Blair (Ulster) 54-64 mins.