RaboDirect Pro 12: Bonus point for Leinster in Scarlets cruise
Leinster capped a comfortable 32-5 victory over the Scarlets with a try in injury time adding a vital bonus point.
Last Updated: 23/02/13 10:25pm
Ian Madigan pulled the strings for Leinster in the second half as he responded to missing out on a place in the Ireland squad and he was involved in Leinster's most potent attacks as they scored 21 unanswered points after the break
Andrew Goodman did all the scoring in the opening 40 minutes for Leinster, his try and two penalties guiding them to a 11-5 lead, before Madigan converted tries from Aaron Dundon, Jordi Murphy and John Cooney.
Andy Fenby swooped for a Scarlets try in the 35th minute but they were overrun by the in-form hosts with turnovers proving costly for the Welsh region.
Leinster edged ahead in the third minute with New Zealander Goodman, assuming the kicking duties for the night, planting a penalty through the posts.
The visitors were then reduced to 14 men after lock George Earle was carded for dangerous play at a lineout. Goodman though was unable to convert the resulting penalty.
Kiwi Goodman kicked his second three-pointer of the night and soon after opened his try account for the province, swatting away Williams' attempted tackle to score in the right corner.
The Scarlets hit back straight from the restart, retrieving possession and hunting out to the left where Aaron Shingler and Aled Thomas combined to send Fenby streaking over in the corner.
Williams' conversion attempt went wide and Leinster also missed a couple of kicks closing in on half-time, Noel Reid hitting the left upright from closer range and Goodman pushing an effort wide.
Leinster used their lineout maul to good effect on the restart. A Shane Jennings drive to the line was ruled inconclusive, however hooker and man-of-the-match Dundon piled over from a similar attack soon after.
Madigan converted to put 11 points between the sides and just as the game seemed to be petering out, the out-half inspired Leinster's late bonus point push.
With 10 minutes left, Murphy took a great line onto a crisp pass from Cooney to score to the left of the posts with Madigan adding the extras.
Right at the death, Leinster turned defence into attack as Madigan and Fergus McFadden drove them on and replacement scrum-half Cooney sniped over from a close-range ruck to confirm the bonus point.
