Ospreys 32 – 18 Leinster
Leinster missed their chance to pull clear of Scarlets losing to Ospreys. Ospreys got two tries from Dan Evans, and one each from Tom Habberfield, and Justin Tipuric. Dan Biggar kicked three conversions and two penalties. Leinster go tries through Barry Daly and Barry O’Loughlin. Joey Carbery kicked a conversion and a penalty, with Ross Byrne also kicking a penalty.
Munster 19 – 7 Scarlets
Munster did Leinster a huge favour by beating Scarlets. The visitors took the lead with a try from Aled Davies, converted by Rhys Patchell. Munster got on the board 20 minutes later with a try from James Hart.
In the second half Ronin Copeland crossed the line to give Munster the lead, Ian Keatley converted. Alex Wootton went over late on to deny Scarlets a losing bonus point, Ian Keatley converted.
Connacht 22 – 29 Edinburgh
A late flurry saw Edinburgh beat Connacht to keep pace with Scarlets and Leinster. Dougie Fife got over for the games first try straight away, Jacob van der Walt kicked a penalty in the 7th minute. Connacht took the lead with tries from Tiernan O’Halloran and Tom Farrell, both converted by Jack Carty. Duhan van der Merwe got Edinburghs second try, before Carty kicked a penalty late in the half, to send Connacht in 17 – 13 ahead at the break.
In the second half Duncan Weir kicked a penalty wither side of a Finlay Bealham try, Weir then touched down himself, converted the try, and scored a last minute penalty to give Edinburgh the win.
Cardiff Blues 35 – 17 Ulster
Cardiff got their 5th win in a row as Ulster fell further behind in the race for the quarter-finals. Jarrod Evans scored and converted the first try, then converted Blaine Scullys after a John Cooney penalty. Ulster had Wiebahn Herbst sent to the bin, John Cooney and Jarrod Evans exchanged penalties to close out the half, Cardiff led 17 – 6.
In the second half John Cooney kicked two penalties before Kristian Dacey got the Blues 3rd try. Jarrod Evans kicked two more penalties, then converted a Dillon Lewis try after Dave Shanahan had scored for Ulster.
Glasgow Warriors 68 – 7 Zebre
Glasgow hammered Zebre, keeping them scoreless in the first half. Tries from DTH van der Merwe and Ruaridh Jackson were converted by Adam Hastings, then Glasgow were awarded a penalty try. Carlo Canna was sent to the bin for Zebre. Glasgow got further tires through van der Merwe, Henry Pyyrgos, and Jackson, the first two were converted by Hastings. Glasgow led 40 – 0 at the break.
Glasgow went further in front with a try from Lee Jones, converted by Hastings. Zebre got a score with Carlo Canna crossing the line and adding the conversion. Glasgow got three more tries, from Zander Fagerson, Callum Gibbins, and Lelia Masaga, Hastings converted each of the tries.
Southern Kings 35 – 36 Benetton
Benetton edged out Kings in a try fest in South Africa. The away side opened the scoring with tries from Tomas Baravalle, and Marco Lazzaroni, Marty Banks converted the second. Kings went ahead with tries from Luzuko Vulindlu and Godlen Masimla, Kurt Coleman added the extras on both occasions. Marty Banks touched down and converted, he then converted a try from Tommaso Iannone. Kings had the last saw of the half with a try from Ruaan Lerm, converted by Masixole Banda. At half time Benetton led 21 – 26.
Braam Steyn touched down in the second half, with Banks kicking the conversion. Kings were awarded a penalty try, and Federico Ruzza was sent to the bin. Banks kicked a penalty which ultimately proved to be decisive. Kings got one more try from Berton Klaasen, converted by Banda, before Tango Balekile was shown yellow.
Dragons 17 – 29 Toyota Cheetahs
Cheetahs kept the pressure on Munster with a bonus point win over Dragons. Dragons took the lead with a try from Ashton Hewitt, converted by Arwel Robson. Niel Marais kicked a penalty for Cheetahs, before Ronson kicked a drop goal for Dragons. Dragons led 10 – 3 at halftime.
In the opening ten minutes of the second half Cheetahs got tries through Rabs Maxwane and Fred Zeilinga, both were converted by Marais. Maxwane crossed the line just past the hour mark. Late on Dragons got a try through Elliot Dee, converted by Robson. Cheetahs had the last say with a try from Clayton Blommetjies, converted by Zeiilinga.
Tables
Pos
|
Conference A
|
Pld
|
Pts
|
Wins
|
PD +/-
|
1
|
Glasgow Warriors
|
17
|
70
|
14
|
+279
|
2
|
Munster
|
18
|
58
|
11
|
+188
|
3
|
Toyota Cheetahs
|
18
|
52
|
10
|
+46
|
4
|
Cardiff Blues
|
18
|
47
|
10
|
-8
|
5
|
Ospreys
|
17
|
35
|
7
|
-98
|
6
|
Connacht
|
18
|
34
|
6
|
-27
|
7
|
Zebre
|
17
|
22
|
4
|
-180
|
Pos
|
Conference B
|
Pld
|
Pts
|
Wins
|
PD +/-
|
1
|
Leinster
|
18
|
64
|
13
|
+231
|
2
|
Scarlets
|
18
|
61
|
12
|
+158
|
3
|
Edinburgh
|
18
|
59
|
13
|
+88
|
4
|
Ulster
|
17
|
46
|
9
|
+15
|
5
|
Benetton
|
18
|
45
|
9
|
-35
|
6
|
Dragons
|
18
|
17
|
2
|
-265
|
7
|
Southern Kings
|
18
|
11
|
1
|
-392
|
Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport). He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.
*****
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