Leinster 21 Newport 6

Newport's five game winning run came to an end at the hands of unbeaten Leinster in a bruising Heineken Cup clash at a packed Donnybrook last night.

Newport led through a Shane Howarth penalty but the Irish province, with the best record in Europe this season, hit back for their 16th successive home victory.

But they were pushed all the way by a Newport team which gave everything and must now win the return at Rodney Parade next Friday.

Leinster were without top Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll who pulled out before the game with his knee and finger injuries. They were taking a record of 15 successive home wins into the game.

There was none of the rain in Ireland which had poured down in Wales all day and conditions were pretty good.

A packed 7,500 crowd, including hundreds from Newport, saw Leinster with the advantage of a strong wind but they missed a golden opportunity of taking a fourth- minute lead when Nathan Spooner missed an easy penalty shot.

A minute later he was wide with a harder effort, but Andrew Powell led a terrific counter attack, though he spilled the ball at the end of it.

Powell (Andrew) was involved in everything and Joe Powell got in on the act as well in a super handling move. Leinster gave away a penalty trying to halt it and Shane Howarth made no mistake to give Newport a tenth-minute lead.

A massive lineout drive and towering kick by Ofisa Tonu'u had Leinster in trouble, but Spooner got them out of it, though Denis Hickie sliced into touch.

Newport didn't help themselves, however, by losing their own ball at three successive line outs.

Leinster were far better at winning their ball, but Newport's defence held out well against Leinster's back division. Matt Mostryn almost broke through on a piercing run for Newport and when a Leinster pass went astray, Watkins almost sliced through the middle.

Powell (Andrew) needed treatment and from the following scrum, Hickie broke down the wing - outpacing Andy Marinos - and he passed inside to Shane Horgan who streaked away for a try which Spooner converted.

Newport hit back hard, Tonu'u and Anthony charging through, but Jonathan Pritchard spoilt it by knocking on badly.

Newport suffered another blow when Peter Buxton was yellow carded preventing the ball from being released.

But Newport regrouped and Pritchard and Marinos led a break out powered on, Joe Powell also handled and Leinster were forced to defend desperately.

But Newport messed up a scrum and Leinster cleared.

Spooner extended Leinster's lead with a 40-yard penalty three minutes into the second half.

Newport gave away another penalty through offside in their own 22 and Spooner again obliged, though Howarth almost landed a monster 50-yard dropped goal shot.

Leinster had quickened the pace and Newport were pinned in desperate defence, only holding out at the expense of conceding penalties, though Spooner was wide with another attempt.

Howarth relieved the seige with a long touchfinder, then Snow, Raiwalui, Powell (Joe) and Mostyn handled well only for the latter to be grounded.

But when Leinster were penalised at a scrum, Howarth gave Newport renewed hope when he landed his second penalty.

Newport brought on Ian Gough and Jason Forster and pressed hard until Spooner booted them back down field.

But Newport, with Snow outstanding, drove Leinster back and following a full round of passing, Watkins was tackled into touch.

Newport filled themselves into all out attack, handling through six phases and twice the final pass didn't go to hand before they conceded another penalty.

Newport brought on Garvey, Brew and Ceri Jones while Dale Burn replaced the injured Watkins, but they still lacked that vital cutting edge and Spooner made sure for Leinster with his third penalty two minutes from the end.

Howarth missed a shot for Newport which summed up their night. And it got worse when in injury time Horgan made the break for replacement Ben Willis to cross in the corner.

Leinster: Dempsey, D. Hickie, Magro, Horgan, Darcy, Spooner, O'Meara, Corrigan, S. Byrne, E. Byrne, Cullen, O'Kelly, Miller, Gleeson, Costello. Tries - S Horgan, B Willis. Pens (3): N Sponner. Con: Sponner Replacements: Coyle, G. Hickie, Casey, Brennan, Willis, Dunne, McKenna. Newport: Pini, Mostyn, Marinos, Pritchard, M. Watkins, Howarth,Tonu'u, Snow, Richards, Anthony, Raiwalui, Voyle, Buxton, J. Powell, A. Powell. Pens (2): Howarth Replacements: Garvey, C. Jones, Gough, Forster, Brew, Strange, Burn. Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)