Contepomi try helps Leinster to victory

Leinster 32 Ulster 30

Leinster swept Ulster aside at Donnybrook with Argentina international Felipe Contepomi marking his home debut with a try.

An inspired night of kicking from scrum-half Brian O’Meara saw him win the duel with Ulster’s David Humphreys as his six first-half successes paved the way for Leinster’s sixth consecutive league win.

The home side signalled their intent with a double incision into the visitors’ line inside the first 60 seconds by Contepomi and a well-timed lineout take from lock Malcolm O’Kelly saw O’Meara put them in front in the third minute.

Humphreys soon levelled it with a 25-metre penalty of his own before two more penalties from O’Meara gave Leinster a 9-3 lead at the half’s midpoint.

Contepomi split the Ulster midfield on 23 minutes to gleefully touch down from a short pass by centre partner David Quinlan. O’Meara’s conversion had the large attendance in raptures at 16-3, but a neat move by New Zealand centre Paul Steinmetz helped Ulster wing Tyrone Howe put over with six minutes remaining in the first half. Humphreys’ converted and added a further penalty.

Humphreys hit the post in the driving rain on 64 minutes with a left-sided penalty effort before Leinster began to dominate possession and territory and mistakes riddled Ulster’s play. A 54th-minute penalty from man of the match O’Meara and a bustling try from number eight Victor Costello with 13 minutes remaining put the result beyond doubt.

Steinmetz managed to get in for a late Ulster score and a bonus point was stolen at the death as Humphreys touched down from close range in the eighth minute of stoppage time.