Leinster victorious as two yellow cards prove costly for Glasgow Warriors
Last Updated: 24/10/15 3:42pm
Leinster saw out a 23-18 win over defending champions Glasgow, after two yellow cards cost the Warriors in Dublin.
Hooker Pat McArthur and winger Taqele Naiyaravoro were both given 10 minutes in the bin by the referee, with Leinster scoring while McArthur was off the pitch, while Naiyaravoro also conceded a penalty try for his offence.
Leinster winger Fergus McFadden added 13 points with the boot, and was instrumental in applying the pressure that led to the penalty try, while scrum-half Luke McGrath score the Irish side's other try.
Duncan Weir kicked eight points from the tee, as Zander Fagerson and Naiyaravoro dotted down either side of half-time.
The win puts Leinster into fifth place in the PRO12 table after a mixed start to the season, while Glasgow drop to seventh.
Glasgow were the team in charge during the first quarter, and opened the scoring when they cycled the ball through several phases deep inside the Leinster half before tighthead prop Fagerson crashed over from close range for an easy conversion.
McFadden added two penalties for the home side to make it a one-point game, but Duncan Weir added two of his own to make it 13-6 with half-time looming.
On the stroke of half-time, Leinster were in possession in a threatening position in the Warriors' half when Pat McArthur was caught putting in a high tackle, and the hooker was sent to the bin by the referee.
McFadden attempted a shot at goal with no time remaining but pushed the effort wide to send the teams into the break with a 13-6 lead to Glasgow.
Leinster put the extra man to work immediately in the second half, as the forwards battered the visitors' line before McGrath spotted a gap and stretched to score the first try of the second half and level the scores following the conversion.
The Warriors were next to score, through Naiyaravoro, taking the lead for the final time in the match as hero turned villain moments later.
Leinster were on the attack when replacement half-back Isaac Boss dummied and broke before passing inside to Isa Nacewa in the tackle. Nacewa chipped ahead for McFadden to chase down on the tryline. McFadden was beaten to the ball by Naiyaravoro, but the Glasgow winger swatted the ball out of the dead ball area to avoid the try.
The TMO was called and confirmed that it was an act of foul play, earning Naiyaravoro a yellow card and Leinster a penalty try.
The easy conversion gave them a 20-18 lead, and when they were awarded a penalty with only seconds to go, McFadden called for the tee and sent the attempt through the poles for a 23-18 win.
