In-form Irish club Leinster claimed a convincing 36-12 win over the Cheetahs in a one-sided PRO14 clash in Dublin on Saturday.
This match away from home was always going to be a challenge for the Cheetahs, and in the end two yellow cards certainly didn’t help their cause, nor did the inclement conditions.
For Leinster, it’s a result that extends their unbeaten run in the PRO14 to 11 games, with a now healthy lead at the top of Conference A, while the Cheetahs remain in third spot.
The Cheetahs will next face Ulster, who are in second place in the standings.
Leinster – Tries: Will Connors (2), Michael Bent, Ronan Kelleher, Rhys Ruddock. Conversions: Ciaran Frawley (4).
Penalties: Frawley.
Cheetahs – Tries: Luan de Bruin, Aidon Davis. Conversion: Pienaar.
Leinster – 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Jimmy O’Brien, 12 Joe Tomane, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ciaran Frawley, 9 Lukee McGrath, 8 Max Deegan, 7 Will Connors, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Scott Fardy (c), 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Peter Dooley.
Subs: 16 Seán Cronin, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Scott Penny, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Cian Kelleher.
Cheetahs – 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar (c), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Chris Massyn, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Aidon Davis, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Chris Smit.
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images