Luckless Lions lose out to log-leaders Leinster

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The Lions’ woeful run in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship continued with a fifth successive defeat in as many matches, the latest loss to Leinster in Dublin.

Tries for Dave Kearney, Mike Alaalatoa and Scott Penny, with Ross Byrne flawless from the kicking tee, were enough for the hosts to quell a spirited performance from the visitors to claim a 21-13 win at the RDS Arena.

With the result, the Irish outfit remains top of the table and unbeaten in the competition since November, while the Lions are still in 14th.

Leinster held a slim 7-6 lead at half time, courtesy of Kearney’s effort in the corner, after Jordan Hendrikse missed two early penalty attempts for the Lions, before a quick-fire double from Alaalatoa and Penny after the break earned Leo Cullen’s men a 21-6 cushion.

Lions skipper Jaco Kriel dotted down under the posts for a converted touchdown two minutes from the final whistle, but the Joburgers will regret not converting their scrum supremacy into overall dominance on the night.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg was also a handful for the Leinster side with a clutch of defence-splitting runs.

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