Leinster powered to the top of Pool Two as 12 points from man of the match
David Holwell and tries from Denis Hickie, Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Horgan saw
Bath sunk at Lansdowne Road.
Two decisions swung this end-to-end tie in Leinster's favour. John Connolly's
Premiership side failed to score off late scrum pressure in the first half
before D'Arcy had a questionable 67th-minute try awarded despite the presence of
Michael Lipman's hand as he attempted to ground.
Alex Crockett's try gave the visitors hope at 10-8 down at the break, but
D'Arcy's drop goal and try after the restart and a late effort from Horgan saw
Declan Kidney's men to a somewhat fortuitous 19-point success.
Already without elusive winger Brendon Daniel, Connolly also lost Springbok
centre Robbie Fleck midway through the first half. The Australian's misery was
compounded by a blood injury to returning skipper Jonathan Humphreys.
Yet in the hooker's 10-minute spell on the sidelines, Bath managed to swap
tries with their hosts.
Holwell opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a penalty and his opposite
number, Olly Barkley, missed his first chance at replying from out on the left
wing. But Bath were level with a straight effort from Barkley after 20 minutes.
Hickie then claimed Leinster's first try and his 14th in the competition's
history. Shane Jennings collected at a line-out and 28-year-old Hickie took
advantage of Andrew Higgins' slip to strip Chris Malone for pace at the left
corner.
Holwell swept his touchline conversion over and Leinster looked comfortable.
Two minutes later though, a Barkley up-and-under just past halfway saw Shane
Horgan cough up possession and with full-back Girvan Dempsey hopelessly out of
position, Fleck's replacement Spencer Davey reacted brilliantly to set Crockett
on a 40-metre dash to the right corner.
The 22-year-old, making his first start since damaging an ankle in the
Premiership win at Harlequins last month, evaded poor challenges from Hickie and
Leinster skipper Reggie Corrigan to send Bath in at the break 10-8 down.
Welsh referee Nigel Williams endured a busy second half as Bath's forwards
drew a series of offences from the home side.
But still Leinster maintained their advantage on the scoreboard and five
minutes into the second period D'Arcy dropped a lengthy goal for 13-8.
Barkley and Holwell exchanged kicks around the hour mark but Brian
O'Driscoll's incisive play after 67 minutes saw D'Arcy, fed by the supporting
Dempsey, barge past the tackle of Malone and look to ground the ball under
Michael Lipman's heavy challenge.
Television match official Robert Davies ruled in Leinster's favour, and
Holwell crowned an impressive display with another touchline conversion, before
also converting Horgan's 78th-minute try.
Teams:
Leinster: Dempsey, Horgan, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, D. Hickie,
Holwell, O'Meara, Corrigan, S. Byrne, E. Byrne, O'Kelly,
Cullen, Miller, Jennings, Costello.
Replacements: Brown for D'Arcy (70), Easterby for O'Meara (80),
Nebbett for E. Byrne (40), McCullen for Costello (74).
Not Used: G. Hickie, Gissing, Contepomi.
Tries: D. Hickie, D'Arcy, Horgan.
Cons: Holwell 3.
Pens: Holwell 2.
Drop Goals: D'Arcy
Bath: Malone, Higgins, Fleck, Tindall, Daniel, Barkley, Wood,
Barnes, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Lipman,
Fea'unati.
Replacements: Walshe for Wood (73), Stevens for Bell (43),
Fidler for Grewcock (67), Scaysbrook for Lipman (80),
Delve for Fea'unati (73).
Not Used: Mears, Crockett.
Tries: Crockett.
Pens: Barkley 2.
Att: 18,848
Ref: Nigel Williams (Wales).
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