Leinster shocked by lowly Dragons
Coach Matt O’Connor slammed the PRO12 League for the “unacceptable” absence of a Television Match Official at Leinster’s shock 16-14 fall to The Dragons at a muted RDS yesterday, writes Des Berry.
Then, Ben Te’o tore it up through the centre and Fitzgerald’s flashing change of angle and reach for the whitewash was deemed a knock on by referee Ben Whitehouse.
The scrum churned out another penalty which Gopperth landed with ease in the 53rd minute.
The Dragons were not without threat, full-back Jason Tovey missing a drop goal just before Dave Kearney broke from deep in an impressive counter.
Second row McCarthy’s indiscipline into a ruck handed Prydie a simple chance to make it 13-9 to The Dragons in the 63rd minute.
The move to inside centre didn’t inconvenience Te’o too much. He was away again, finding replacement John Cooney on his shoulder and the scrum-half’s grubber was grounded by Kearney.
The Dragons wasted no time in recovering a lead they never lost from Prydie’s penalty for 16-14 in the 66th minute to leave Leinster standing outside the Top-4 in fifth.
GUINNESS PRO12