Leinster earn a sensational win

Leinster's victory last night at Rodney Parade was nothing short of sensational. They made enough errors to lose three matches but yet discovered an inner resolve and dogged spirit that rewarded them with an away win.

There were many heroes on a night when the floodlights failed, causing an 18-minute delay during the second half, none more so than Eric Miller, who had a fantastic match. Nathan Spooner might have kicked poorly from the hand but he won this match with his brilliant place-kicking. Malcolm O'Kelly, Keith Gleeson and Shane Horgan also stood out.

This match could be a turning point for Leinster. They were asked the ultimate question and their response was unequivocal on a night that demanded perspiration rather than inspiration.

If Leinster were in any doubt about the magnitude of the task ahead of them, the din created by the 10,285 Rodney Parade faithful in acclamation of their team's arrival on the pitch, gave them an inkling of what to expect.

Brian O'Driscoll, Nathan Spooner and Keith Gleeson all spilled possession in the opening exchanges as Leinster appeared a little edgy in possession and were guilty of trying to force the issue without laying the groundwork. When Spooner missed an early penalty, a straightforward opportunity from 25 metres in front of the posts, the portents were ominous.

The marked exception to the visitors' jitters was the lineout where Malcolm O'Kelly provided a superb service and the pack managed to gain some decent yardage with good driving close in but any time they widened the focus of attack, handling errors and some woefully indiscriminate kicking undermined their ambition.

Spooner did give Leinster the lead with a 32-metre penalty only for Newport outhalf Shane Howarth to respond in kind. O'Driscoll offered a glimpse of his ability with a searing break but was stopped by a great tackle from Matt Pini, the last defender, in the home side's 22.

Leinster did grab the game's first try on 20 minutes. Having wheeled Newport off their own put-in from the 22, Leinster put Eric Miller in the centre from the resultant scrum and from Spooner's pop pass he broke Howarth's tackle to score under the posts.

The outhalf added the conversion but thereafter Leinster's game disintegrated. They were experiencing considerable discomfort in the scrum and the errors were spiralling at an alarming rate. Newport gradually asserted sustained pressure and were rewarded with a try from Andy Marinos, demonstrating neat footwork to ghost past a couple of tacklers.

Howarth converted, added a snap drop goal on 40 minutes and it was his beautifully judged cross kick that allowed left wing Ben Breeze to outjump Gordon D'Arcy for the try. Leinster will wonder where referee Chris White got all the injury time and also that Breeze appeared offside from the kick.

Spooner kicked a great long range penalty to narrow the deficit to 18-13 but it was Newport that continued to play the better rugby. It was now a question of Leinster's character and they responded superbly. As the Welsh side attacked deep into Leinster's 22 through Pini, McKenna ploughed into the tackle, ripped the ball free and raced 80 metres for a try under the posts. Spooner converted but Leinster immediately conceded another penalty which Howarth kicked to put Newport 21-20 in front.

Back came Leinster when Spooner kicked a magnificent penalty from 46 metres. Spooner kicked another quite stupendous penalty on 82 minutes which sealed a magnificent victory; a win for guts, determination and a staggering resilience.

Denis Hickie failed to shrug off his shoulder injury in time to play what turned out to be Leinster's record 11th win in a row.