Leinster continued their unbeaten run with a thumping victory over Cardiff on Saturday afternoon at the RDS Arena 38-14 (HT 19-0).
The first half belonged to the hosts and set the tone for the game, as despite missing most of their Irish contingent they still were a cut above Cardiff. Max Deegan got the scoring underway, turning early territory into points and a quick tap penalty from 5 metres out resulting in a try. Luke McGrath added the second just before the 20 minute mark, a well worked routine from another 5 metre penalty ending with him finishing through contact.
He added his second try of the half soon afterwards, a brilliant sniping run from the base of a ruck catching the lacklustre defence unaware and dived to extend the lead. The visitors just couldn't cope with the pace and power injected into the game by Leinster, as dominance in all facets of the game left them staring down the barrel of a cricket score
The second half started off in very similar fashion to the first, Leinster dominating territory and carving more gaps in the defensive line, Ben Brownlee and Liam Turner combining to break from the edge of their own 22 to have Cardiff reeling just 90 seconds after the restart. Scramble defence forced some errors and bought some breathing space for Cardiff, but they still struggled to gain any momentum.
Jason Harries was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock on and Leinster added the bonus point try from the ensuing penalty, Brian Deeney eventually going over after the lineout drive was stopped and a series of pick and go’s took the hosts to metres out from the line. Max O’Reilly was put in for the fifth try of the afternoon after good momentum created by the forward pack created ample space out wide for him to score.
Cardiff finally got some possession and territory just after the hour mark, but some stout Leinster defence pushed them from being 5 metres out to comfortably outside the 22. They eventually got points on the board 10 minutes from time, Rory Thornton barraging his way through the defence.
Some late ill-discipline from Leinster allowed further opportunities for Cardiff and Kristian Dacey went over for their second. Liam Turner scored as Cardiff tried to go from deep with the clock in the red as Leinster made it 13 from 13 in the URC.