Celtic League: Leinster firmly at the top their Pool

Bridgend 32 Leinster 51

Unbeaten Leinster installed themselves as strong contenders for the inaugural Celtic League title after this seven-try destruction of Bridgend.

In a faultless display the Irishmen cut the home defence to ribbons with British Lion Malcolm O’Kelly a colossus in a dominant pack and powerhouse centre Shane Hogan a constant thorn in Bridgend’s side.

Although the Welshmen made a sensational start with an early converted score by Gareth Thomas, Leinster took charge to set up touchdowns by Girvan Dempsey, Peter McKenna, O’Kelly and Victor Costello.

Bridgend struck back with tries from lock Chris Stephens and skipper Huw Harries to trim the visitors’ lead at the break to 24-29.

But a trio of superbly executed scores by Denis Hickie, a second by Dempsey and a superb solo effort by Hogan, early in the second-half, gave the Irishmen an unassailable lead.

Bridgend dug in and tried hard to release their British Lion winger Dafydd James, but the Leinster defensive wall stood firm.

Bridgend did gain a late consolation when they unlocked the visitors’ defence to create a try by their most creative player, centre Adrian Durston.

The ruthless efficiency of the Irishmen prevailed however and on this form they must be hot favourites to lift the first Celtic League title.

Celtic League Pool A

Bridgend (24) 32 Leinster (29) 51

Bridgend: Tries: G. Thomas, Durston, Harries, Stephens.

Cons: Rees 3.

Pens: Rees 2.

Bridgend: Taumalolo, G. Jones, G. Thomas, Durston, James, Rees, Harries, Loader, G. Williams, Noon, Clapham, Stephens, Budgett, Bryan, Molitika.

Not Used: Griffiths, van Rensburg, Joy, Ringer, Hewlett, Funnell, D. Jones.

Leinster: Tries: Dempsey 2, D. Hickie, Horgan, McKenna, O’Kelly, Costello.

Cons: O’Meara 5.

Pens: O’Meara 2.

Leinster: Dempsey, D. Hickie, Magro, Horgan, McKenna, Dunne, O’Meara, Corrigan, S. Byrne, E. Byrne, Brennan, O’Kelly, Miller, Costello, Gleeson.

Not Used: Coyle, G. Hickie, McCullen, Cullen, Willis, Keogh, Quinlan.

Att: 2,650

Ref: Steve Lander (RFU).

Pontypridd (6) 17 Llanelli (13) 19

Pontypridd: Tries: Parks.

Pens: Sweeney 4.

Pontypridd: C. Williams, Wyatt, Parker, Colderley, Feaunati, Sweeney, John, Jenkins, Davies, Bell, Kelly, Cockbain, McIntosh, Parks, Owen.

Not Used: Baber, Lawson, Johnson, M. Rees, Field, J. Griffiths, Senara.

Llanelli: Tries: Finau.

Cons: G. Bowen.

Pens: G. Bowen 2.

Drop Goals: N. Boobyer, S. Jones.

Llanelli: Cardey, G. Evans, N. Boobyer, L. Davies, Finau, G. Bowen, Peel, Booth, M. Thomas, Madden, Morgan, C. Gillies, D. Jones, I. Boobyer, Hodges.

Not Used: G. Easterby, S. Jones, J. Davies, McBryde, Gross, S. Easterby, B. Davies.

Att: 5,000

Ref: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales).

Swansea (3) 13 Glasgow (8) 21

Swansea: Tries: G. Jenkins.

Cons: Henson.

Pens: Henson 2.

Swansea: K. Morgan, Rees, Payne, Gibbs, Mackey, Henson, R. Jones, Le Chavalier, Wells, Evans, L. Jones, Moore, Bater, H. Jenkins, D. Thomas.

Not Used: Martens, Swales, Robinson, G. Jenkins, Marsters, Griffiths, Charvis.

Glasgow: Tries: Hayes, Ross.

Cons: Hayes.

Pens: Hayes 2.

Drop Goals: Hayes.

Glasgow: Kiddie, Kerr, McLaren, Henderson, Reid, Hayes, Nicol, Blades, G. Bulloch, Harrison, Ross, White, Simpson, Petrie, MacFadyen.

Not Used: Scott, Hilton, A. Hall, Flockhart, Beveridge, Stuart, Irving.

Att: 2,500

Ref: D Courtney (Ireland).