Leinster 39; SA Lions 36
This was only a shadow Leinster team and little was expected of them In this United Rugby Championship game played in South Africa. This was especially the case when they were 15 points behind yet thanks to a peerless performance from young Sam Prendergast at outhalf, they rallied to win by three points and keep their unbeaten league record intact.
Despite the fortune of an early try, Leinster were blitzed by the hosts from then on in the first half and trailed for most of the game.
Georgian native Abdaladze celebrated his first start for his club by making a great break which brought him all the way over the line for Prendergast to add the conversion.
Leinster coach Leo Cullen being interviewed before the game in South Africa. INPHO/STEVE HAAG SPORTS/DEON VAN DER MERWE
Within minutes the Lions were 12-7 ahead. Turner showed defiance by dotting down and Prendergast restored Leinster’s lead.
But a minute later the Lions responded with a superb try. Lombard burst clear and offloaded to Van der Merwe, who sold a dummy to break clear and play a short pass to Nohamba and his behind-the-back pass found Louw to run in unopposed.
The Lions went on a try scoring fest and even a penalty try for the visitors meant they were still 15 points in arrears.
The Prendergast show then took off with a penalty before his delicate chip allowed Russell to get in. Cosgrave, back from a 10 minute sin bin offence, made it up to his colleagues with an individual try with the No 10 kicking the conversion to level the match.
Time was almost up but the drama wasn’t quite over yet. The home side were penalised and Sam the man slotted over the resultant kick on the dot of time to claim a famous win for the province.
