Leinster too good for Treviso
Leinster overcame a spirited Benetton Treviso side before emerging as 30-5 winners in their Magners League encounter on Friday night.
Leinster overcame resistance from a spirited Benetton Treviso side before emerging as 30-5 winners in their Magners League encounter at the RDS on Friday night.
A faultless kicking display from stand-in captain Isa Nacewa plus three tries by wingers Dave Kearney and Andrew Conway, and fly-half Ian McKinley made it eight wins for nine for the Irish side.
The home team opened up a 16-5 half-time lead with three penalties from Nacewa and a converted score from Kearney, with flanker Gonzalo Padro replying for the visitors. However, Leinster accelerated away after the break with two further touchdowns.
The Irish side dominated the opening period and on eight minutes Nacewa scored their first points with a penalty. Treviso's cause wasn't helped by fly-half Willem De Vaal missing two shots at goal within the first 22 minutes, in contrast to Nacewa's excellent kicking performance.
Nacewa added two more three-pointers before the home side finally managed to break down the opposition defence just before the half hour, Kearney going over with Leinster's full-back converting.
Just before half-time, the away side got themselves on the board from Padro, but once again De Waal was off target with the boot.
However, Leinster extended their lead six minutes into the second half, McKinley going with Nacewa once again adding the extras.
The Italian team introduced a raft of substitutions to try and turn the tide, but on 56 minutes, Treviso were reduced to 14 men when Corniel Van Zyl was yellow carded.
Conway completed the scoring in the last minute, with Nacewa once again converting to complete the rout.
The scorers:For Leinster:
Tries: Conway, Kearney, McKinley
Cons: Nacewa 3
Pens: Nacewa 3
For Treviso:
Try: Padro
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa (c), 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Eamonn Sheridan, 11 David Kearney, 10 Ian McKinley, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Stephen Keogh, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 Stan Wright, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Clint Newland, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Paul Ryan, 21 Paul O'Donohoe, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Niall Morris.
Treviso: 15 Joseph Maddock, 14 Michele Sepe, 13 Ezio Galon, 12 Andrew Vilk, 11 Benjamin De Jager, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Ludovico Nitoglia, 8 Marco Filippucci, 7 Gonzalo Padrò, 6 Benjamin Vermaak, 5 Corniel Van Zyl, 4 Antonio Pavanello (captain), 3 Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet, 2 Enrico Ceccato, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Franco Sbaraglini, 17 Matteo Muccignat, 18 Pedro Di Santo, 19 Enrico Pavanello, 20 Michele Sutto, 21 Andrea Pratichetti, 22 Andrea Marcato, 23 Simon Picone.
Referee: Neil Hennessy (Wales)