Despite an early try Newport Gwent Dragons crashed to defeat at the hands of Leinster on Saturday night. Both sides were missing their international star players but it was Leinster who coped the better playing in front of their home crowd at Donnybrook.
Argentinean international Felipe Contepomi was in outstanding kicking form ending the game with a personal points tally of 25 including two tries. He put the home side ahead after 26 minutes following an 8th minute unconverted try by Gareth Wyatt. The Dragons were also a man down after 26 minutes when hooker Kieran Crawford was sent to the sin bin for persistent infringement.
Contepomi was sent to the sin bin in injury time of the first half for using hands in the ruck but when Leinster had their full compliment of players they roared to victory.
The Dragons did trouble Leinster early on and took an early lead through Wyatt with USA internationals Mike Hercus and Paul Emerick cutting through the home defence to put Wyatt in to score. Hercus missed the conversion and Leinster soon took control of the game.
Contepomi kicked two penalties to put the home side in front, before Hercus slotted a penalty to regain the lead for The Dragons. However, the lead was short lived and Contepomi scored a try after dancing through The Dragons defence and converted his try. Seven minutes later he got on the score sheet again beating four defenders to score his second try of the night.
The Dragons hit back in injury time when Richard Fussell burst down the wing to score and they trailed 20-13 at the break.
It was all Leinster in the second half as first Warner scored a try and then Brown got the fourth and bonus point score.
Contepomi scored a penalty in the dying stages to give Leinster their eleventh straight home win.
