DEFEATEDDOBSON PRAISES 'SUBLIME' PRIESTLAND

Cardiffended the DHL Stormers’ 15-match unbeaten run in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship as Wales fly-halfcontender Rhys Priestland kicked 20 points in a 30-24 victory at the Arms Park.

Priestlandwas named Man of the Match for the way he ran the show against the leaguechampions as he staked a strong case to wear the No 10 jersey in the openingautumn international against New Zealand.

Switchingfrom full-back, where he had previously lined up this season, the versatileveteran landed seven shots at goal and also set up tries for wings Theo Cabangoand Jason Harries with pin-point cross kicks.

It was a master-class display that won warm plaudits from gracious DHL Stormershead coach John Dobson.

“I thought he was absolutely sublime, just superb,” he said.

“Thatwas right up there in terms of a tactical kicking display from a 10, noquestion. He was magnificent.”

Cardiffdirector of rugby Dai Young echoed Dobson in praising the 35-year-oldPriestland, who won the last of his 52 caps against Australia just under 12months ago.

“Ithought he had a great game at 10. It was a real good performance,” said theformer Wales and Lions prop.

“Hecontrolled the game really well and showed what a quality operator he is. Withhis kicking game, he put us out of danger on a lot of occasions and also putpressure on them. He was also really accurate taking the points, which ishugely important. I thought he was excellent.”

Asfor the DHL Stormers, it was their first defeat in the league since they lostto Connacht out in Galway way back in February. They did have the consolationof picking up two losing bonus points, having scored four tries, three of themthrough lineout drives.

Buthaving also been denied victory in last week’s draw with the Ospreys, the titleholders will be hungry to return to winning ways when they take on the EmiratesLions in Johannesburg next Saturday.

LEINSTER ROLL ON

Table-topping Leinster made it six wins out of six in the league as theydefeated a spirited young Munster side 27-13 in front of a 46,000 crowd at theAviva Stadium.

They surprisingly found themselves behind early in the second half when No 8Gavin Coombes crossed for the visitors.

But they pulled away in the final quarter, ending up with four tries to securethe maximum haul, which sees them go seven points clear of second-placedUlster.

One of their touchdowns came from scrum-half Luke McGrath, who was named Man ofthe Match.

Giving his verdict on the contest, McGrath said: “It’s always an unbelievablebattle against Munster. It was a very tough match, unbelievably physical, andwe are delighted to get the win. I thought our pack were brilliant and reallyset the platform for us.”

EDINBURGH’S HAPPY AWAY DAY

Edinburgh claimed their first away win in the Vodacom URC since March with a 38-19bonus point victory over Zebre out in Parma.

They ran in six tries in all, with hooker Adam McBurney touching down twice asthey built a 31-0 lead.

Zebre Parma played for close on an hour with just 14 men following a red cardfor flanker MJ Pelser, but showed real fight after the break scoring threetries of their own.

The Man of the Match award went to Fijian No 8 Viliame Mata who marked his 31stbirthday and 100th appearance for Edinburgh with a real barnstorming carryingdisplay.

Commenting on the game, his coach Mike Blair said: “It was very stop start, butwe are really pleased to come away with five points.”

RESTOF THE ACTION

Fridaynight’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship games saw bonus point victories for Connacht, who beat the Scarlets36-14 in Galway, and the Vodacom Bulls, 44-22 victors over Benetton out inTreviso.

Irish international winger Mack Hansen crossed twice for Connacht, while the  Vodacom Bulls posted five tries after thebreak to turn around a 9-3 half-time deficit.

Bothgames that were due to be played in South Africa over the weekend – Emirates Lionsv Glasgow and Cell C Sharks v Ulster - were postponed due to gastroenteritisinfections within the visiting camps. The matches will be rescheduled for laterdates.