Leinster measure up in battle of inches

LEINSTER scraped through as Connacht once again came up short at the Galway Sportsground last night.

The European champions did just enough to consolidate their lead of the RaboDirect Pro 12 after a pulsatingly hard-fought battle with Eric Elwood’s struggling Connacht. The visitors won on the scoreboard thanks to Isa Nacewa, in the goalkicking duel, but on all other fronts it was the home side which claimed the honours, including two second-half tries.

Behind by just two after missing an opportunity to draw level, they then carved a last-ditch chance to grab their first win since September. On this occasion it was their goal-kicking that let them down, and replacement out-half Miah Nikora’s drop goal attempt in the last minute was judged by the television match official to be just short. That brought to four the number of kicks missed, while the unflustered Nacewa nailed all five for Leinster’s 15-point haul.