Leinster 12 Cornish Pirates 10:Leinster clinched their second successive victory in the inaugural British & Irish Cup with a narrow 12-10 win over the Cornish Pirates in Donnybrook this evening.
Shaun Berne continued his excellent run of form by scoring all 12 points for Leinster, who battled to come from behind before securing the victory.
Leinster had an early chance when Berne broke through in the opening 10 minutes but Brendan Macken took his eye off the ball as a clear run to the line beckoned.
The Pirates came close to scoring the game’s opening try when winger Nick Jackson broke through the Leinster midfield but some excellent defence from David Kearney denied a certain try.
A break from centre Mark Ireland led to a penalty for the visitors which Rob Cook had no difficulties slotting home to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead after 18 minutes.
Leinster almost replied immediately but Berne’s penalty fell just short of the posts. Approaching the half hour mark Berne levelled with the boot.
The remainder of the half was keenly contested with a Devin Toner steal from a lineout and an all-round industrious Kevin McLaughlin performance being the highlights for the home side.
Leinster started the second half strongly and Berne doubled his tally with a second penalty in the 45th minute to put Ireland ahead 6-3. Another followed on 52 as Ireland opened up a 9-3 lead.
The home side were in the ascendancy with McLaughlin and Stephen Keogh upping the tempo and Girvan Dempsey a constant attacking threat.
However a ten minute spell of pressure from the visitors led to a try from close in by scrumhalf Gavin Cattle, which Cook converted to give the Pirates a 10-9 lead.
Substitute Niall Morris and winger Michael Keating came close in the latter stages but Berne secured the result with his fourth penalty of the night with eight minutes remaining.
Teams:
Leinster: Girvan Dempsey, Michael Keating, Brendan Macken (Eoin O'Malley, 76), Shaun Berne, David Kearney (Niall Morris, 69), Ian McKinley, Paul O'Donohoe Captain (Simon Keogh, 47); Ronan McCormack, Richardt Strauss (Jason Harris-Wright, 27), Jack McGrath (Stewart Maguire, 72), Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Paul Ryan (Dominic Ryan, 63), Stephen Keogh Replacement not used: Mark Flanagan
Cornish Pirates:Rob Cook, Aisea Havili, Mark Ireland, Steve Winn (Richard Bright, ht), Nick Jackson, Jonny Bentley (Rhys Jones, 62), Gavin Cattle Captain (James Doherty, 74); Ryan Storer, Dave Ward, Carl Rimmer, Shaun Pammenter, Luke Collins (Rob Labuschagne, 48), Matt Evans (Same Betty, 56), Tyrone Holmes, Laurie McGolone (Rob Elloway, 65) Replacement not used: Paul Andrew
Referee: David Bodilly
Scorers:
Leinster: Shaun Berne (4 penalties)
Cornish Pirates: Gavin Cattle (1 try), Rob Cook (1 penalty, 1 conversion)
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