Magners League: Victories for Leinster and Ulster

Leinster had Jonathan Sexton to thank for defeating the Ospreys at the RDS, while Ulster enjoyed a handy win over Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill on Friday evening.

Leinster 15-10 Ospreys

It was a tale of two kickers at the RDS on Friday evening, as while five kicks from six from Jonathan Sexton helped Leinster to victory, his opposite number Dan Biggar missed five penalty kicks, including four consecutive efforts in the second half.

With a number of leading Ospreys players absent, Leinster were expected to win with a degree of comfort, but that did not materialise on a miserable night in south Dublin.

The Ospreys lead 10-9 at the break thanks to a try from captain Tipuric and five points from the boot of Biggar with Sexton kicking three penalties in response for the hosts.

With Biggar misfiring from the boot, the Welsh side failed to add to their tally in the second half and two more Sexton penalties helped Leinster to a scrappy win which saw them move to second place in the table overnight.

Ulster 32-13 Benetton Treviso

Four tries in the opening half earned Ulster a bonus point on their way to a facile victory over Italian side Benetton Treviso on Friday evening.

All of Ulster’s 32 points arrived in the opening half as the hosts ran riot at Ravenhill. Treviso were first of the mark with a penalty from Willem de Waal after five minutes, but Ulster quickly took the lead with a penalty after nine minutes from Ian Humphreys, who converted a try from Ruan Pienaar three minutes later.

Brian McLaughlin’s charges took control thereafter with further tries from Nevin Spence, Adam D’Arcy and captain Rory Best, as well as seven points from the boot of Humphreys before the break, with only a de Waal penalty in response to leave Ulster 32-6 in front.

Ulster took their foot of the pedal somewhat after half time and allowed their opponents into the game. Gonzalo Padro crossed for a try which de Waal converted, but the game was long over as a contest at this stage and Ulster held on comfortably for a win which sees them consolidate sixth place in the Magners League table.