Macken’s intercept try seals Leinster victory

Published on 09/09/2012 01:51

Brendan Macken’s last-minute try rounded off a first RaboDirect Pro12 win of the season for Leinster, who downed the Newport Gwent Dragons 45-25 at the RDS.

Ian Madigan, who landed seven kicks out of eight for an 18-point return overall, helped Leinster take a 26-13 half-time lead as they sandwiched Steffan Jones’ intercept try with efforts from Andrew Conway and Ben Marshall.

Shane Jennings and Fionn Carr touched down to seal a bonus point for the Irish side but the Dragons drew some inspiration from Tom Prydie and Dan Evans scores.

However, Leinster sealed it right at the death as Macken intercepted Evans’ pass to race clear and in under the posts.

At the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, a determined final-quarter comeback saw Ulster inflict a second successive defeat on defending Rabo-Direct Pro12 champions Ospreys.

Last year’s losing Heineken Cup finalists ran out 16-13 winners.

The Northern Irish province were trailing 13-3 with 56 minutes on the clock, but replacements that included All Black prop John Afoa and British Lion Stephen Ferris made a major impact as the Ulstermen made it two wins from two.

The Ospreys had looked set to atone for their opening defeat in Treviso as a fine solo try from Hanno Dirksen and eight points from the boot of stand-off Matthew Morgan appeared to put them in control.

But they crumbled badly late in the second half with their scrum coming under huge pressure from Ulster’s reinforced pack.