At times it wasn't pretty - errors and a propensity to take the wrong option taking from any semblance of grace - but when a team hasn't won a game, it's matches like this that deserve to be celebrated. At one stage, down to 13 players, with Des Dillon and Emmet Byrne in the bin, Leinster demonstrated their mettle by surviving two five-metre scrums.
There were a couple of outstanding displays, Shane Jennings superb, Dillon immense, Ben Gissing teak tough in defence, Gavin Hickie dynamic in what was a fine effort by the pack. James Downey enjoyed a fine debut behind the scrum, relishing his defensive responsibilities.
Connacht will reflect on several missed opportunities and they too were bolstered by some excellent performances, notably from Michael Swift, John O'Sullivan and the strong running of Conor McPhillips and Darren Yapp. On the night they were forced to concede second best to a Leinster team that refused to buckle.
There was a surfeit of endeavour and enthusiasm but without the precision and composure that would have yielded greater dividends as both sides were hampered by an inability to convert good field position into points.
Connacht came within a whisker on a couple of occasions, exploiting the short side at pace, demonstrating quick hands. And it took a gang tackle to deprive blindside flanker Michael Swift of a try - Brendan Burke did especially well but it cost him a bruised shoulder and he was forced to retire soon after - in the corner on 12 minutes: referee Hugh Watkins adjudged the pass forward in any event.
The visitors displayed the cohesion and solid team ethic that has underpinned an excellent start to the season but found that, while World Cup duty and injury may have depleted Leinster, it hasn't diminished pride or character.
Indeed, the home side edged the first 40 minutes 9-6, primarily thanks to scrumhalf Brian O'Meara's flawless goalkicking - three penalties from as many attempts - and could have enjoyed a more pronounced advantage had they adhered to the dictum that the ball will beat the man from one point to another.
On too many occasions a Leinster back died with the ball, preferring contact instead of being aware of the runners, especially those running inside lines. They also had reason to be grateful for the pilfering skills of Shane Jennings at the breakdown in what was a good contest between the respective back rows.
Des Dillon carried well for Leinster, Bernard Jackman assuming a similar responsibility for Connacht. O'Meara's three penalties to Eric Elwood's brace constituted the scoring in the opening half but arguably the pivotal moment of the half came with the sin-binning of Dillon on 39 minutes. He was adjudged to have played the ball from an offside position; he didn't.
Leinster's defence was once again stretched wafer thin soon after the restart but a superb tackle by James Downey on Darren Yapp prevented a try in the corner. Connacht's numerical advantage was increased when Leinster prop Emmet Byrne was sin-binned on 45 minutes.
The visitors had elected to take a scrum following a penalty close to the Leinster line and it was from the second reset after referee Watkins had spoken to both front rows that Byrne was dispatched to the bin. Quinlan moved from centre to flanker as Leinster defended another five-metre scrum; the home side managed to wheel Connacht off the ball, a significant coup.
Dillon returned. So too Byrne. And Leinster's precarious existence gave way to a period of ascendancy. Connacht were left to rue their failure to convert chances when Leinster grabbed the first try of the game on 59 minutes, a textbook outhalf loop by Leek, good feet taking him through a small gap and over close to the posts. O'Meara converted and Leinster enjoyed a second wind.
The errors that had dogged their performance for most of the match began to evaporate and strong running, by backs and forwards alike, saw them cross the Connacht line for a second time: the outstanding Dillon making the hard yards, Aidan Kearney the less difficult one-yard plunge. It was no more than their second-half performance deserved.
Scoring sequence: 2 mins: Elwood penalty, 0-3; 5: O'Meara penalty, 3-3; 11: O'Meara penalty, 6-3; 39: Elwood penalty, 6-6; 40 (+2) O'Meara penalty, 9-6. (Half-time: 9-6.) 59: Leek try, O'Meara conversion, 16-6; 66: Kearney try, 21-6;
LEINSTER: B Burke; J McWeeney, J Downey, D Quinlan, G Brown; M Leek, B O'Meara; E Byrne, G Hickie, P Coyle, B Gissing, L Cullen (capt), N Breslin, D Dillon, S Jennings. Replacements: D O'Shea for Burke 25 mins; A Kearney for Cullen h-time; N Treston for Breslin 45 mins; Breslin for Treston 57 mins; N Treston for Coyle 73 mins; D Blaney for Hickie 76 mins; N Ronan for Breslin 79 mins.
CONNACHT: M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), C McPhillips; E Elwood, C Keane; R Hogan, B Jackman, F Boiroux, D Browne, A Farley, M Swift, J O'Sullivan, T Carter. Replacements: C O'Loughlin for Keane 49 mins; D Hewitt for Elwood 57 mins; S Moore for Allnutt 57 mins; P Neville for Carter 61 mins; J Fogarty for Jackman 68 mins; A Clarke for Hogan 71 mins.
Referee: H Watkins (Wales).
Yellow card: D Dillon (Leinster) 39-49 mins; E Byrne (Leinster) 45-55 mins.
