Celtic League: Leinster book their place in semi-finals

LEINSTER 34 NEWPORT 22

Leinster booked their place in the Celtic League semi-finals with a hard-

fought victory over their Welsh rivals at Donnybrook tonight.

Leinster had raced into a 24-3 lead after just 18 minutes thanks to tries form

Irish internationals Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey and denis Hickie, all

converted by Australian fly-half Nathan Spooner who also hit a penalty.

But Newport battled back to 24-17 at half-time with tries form Matt Mostyn and

Andy Marinos.

Replacement Matt Watkins scored Newport’s third try of the night on 50 minutes

to bring the Welsh side to within two points but Spooner hit back with a

penalty before

Brian O’Driscoll made the game safe with a 69th minute try which Spooner

converted.