Cardiff salvaged a try-scoring bonus-point as Leinster continued their unbeaten start to the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The Blue & Blacks, wearing red on Saint David’s Day, led just before the break following a fine first-half performance, which saw tries from Harri Millard and Thomas Young. 

Agonisingly, Leinster crossed on the stroke of half-time and scored 28 unanswered points to surge into a commanding lead with the bonus-point wrapped up. 

However, Cardiff refused to throw in the towel and fought for everything against the league leaders. 

Millard bagged his second on 57 minutes to give his side a glimmer of hope and Ellis Bevan finished a fine team try to salvage a try-scoring bonus-point.

Cardiff were now playing for at least another bonus-point but instead the home side were able to add a late try and then run the clock down to thwart Cardiff on St. David’s Day.

After giving away an early penalty at the Aviva Stadium, Cardiff were forced to weather an early storm but they held up well and forced a turnover penalty through Johan Mulder on the five-metre line. 

However, Leinster dominated possession and territory in the opening quarter, and they got their reward on 14 minutes. After winning a penalty around the half-way Ross Byrne put his pack on the five metre line and they set up a driving line out. 

Cardiff held the first drive but could not do enough to halt the momentum and Leinster patiently drove over with John McKee the scorer. Byrne added the extras to give his side a 7-0 lead but Cardiff quickly hit back. 

It was the first time the Welsh club had put anything together and it was a slick strike play from turnover possession, which ripped Leinster’s defence apart. 

Callum Sheedy took the ball to the line and with Rory Jennings running a decoy line, a delayed pop pass found Cam Winnett, who sliced the line. He had support on both sides but opted for a long pass, which he fizzed to Harri Millard on the wing, who raced clear. 

Sheedy’s touchline conversion drifted to the left of the uprights but the accuracy from Cardiff’s first opportunity created plenty of belief. 

The resurgence continued with Winnett and Gabe Hamer-Webb, impressive with ball in hand, and Cardiff took the lead just before the half-hour mark. 

Following a good period of possession, the Blue & Blacks earned a penalty close to the Leinster line. Instead of going to the posts or the corner, they opted for a tap-penalty and following a succession of close drives, Young burrowed over. 

Sheedy knocked over the conversion to extend his side’s lead to 7-12 but unsurprisingly, unbeaten Leinster roared back. After kicking their own penalty to the corner, they piled on the pressure.

After kicking to the corner again, Leinster turned the screw and it looked as though McKee would claim a second as he burst off the driving maul but great work from Millard, assisted by Mulder, held the hooker up and Cardiff survived. 

They continued to fight fire with fire in defence and should have gone into half-time with the lead but after giving away a penalty inside the Leinster half, they left the door ajar. 

With 15 seconds left, Leinster kicked deep into the Cardiff half and showed their ruthless streak from another penalty, with Jack Boyle crossing in the corner. 

Byrne converted from the touchline to edge Leinster back in front at the interval, leading 14-12. 

They then made a flying start to the second half, hitting Cardiff on the counter from turnover possession. It looked as though Tommy O’Brien would cross but Hamer-Webb made a fine try-saving tackle. 

However, Alex Mann infringed at the next phase and was sent to the sin-bin. Leinster showed no mercy and quickly claimed a third try through Max Deegan. Byrne maintained his 100 per cent strike rate to make it 21-12. 

Leinster soon claimed a fourth try through Luke McGrath, with Byrne again on target, and they made it two in two minutes, to land a hammer blow on the visitors, with Charlie Tector the scorer. 

Cardiff came within inches of an instant response as Winnett released Millard in the left corner but Andrew Osbourne recovered to make a remarkable tackle. 

However, Cardiff remained in Leinster territory and Winnett and Millard combined again. Play flashed to the left again and on this occasion Winnett dinked a chip to the corner, which Millard collected to complete his brace. 

Sheedy failed with the conversion but Cardiff were now within touching distance of salvaging at least a bonus point. 

And they did just that with Hamer-Webb making a superb break down his wing before passing inside to sending Bevan over. Tinus de Beer knocked over the simple conversation to make it 35-24. 

Cardiff were dealt a bitter blow on 76 minutes when Rob Russell crossed in the corner.

Danny Southworth, who played 75 minutes following an injury to Rhys Barratt made a fine tackle in the corner but despite replays showing the wing’s foot in touch, the refereeing team decided it was not clear and obvious and frustratingly stuck with their infield decision.

Unfortunately, Cardiff were unable to launch another attack in the remaining minutes in an attempt to claim a second bonus point, and Leinster secured their twelfth victory from twelve games to stretch their lead at the top of the BKT United Rugby Championship.