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Late power cut lends added drama to Leinster-Glasgow thriller

By Harry West
The lights go out at RDS Arena

A power failure in the 79th minute added a dramatic, if unusual, twist as Pro12 leaders Leinster edged out Glasgow Warriors 31-30 in a thriller at the RDS Arena.

The visitors needed a win to retain any hope of qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs and, with 90 seconds remaining, were down by just a point when the floodlights went out.

A lengthy delay of around 20 minutes followed, with both sets of players remaining out on the field and going through drills to keep warm, before light was finally shed on the situation.

Glasgow ventured deep into Leinster's 22 upon the resumption but were unable to force a score, leaving the hosts thankful for Joey Carbery's decisive penalty in the 75th minute after Glasgow had fought back from 23-6 down at half-time to lead 30-28.

Newport Gwent Dragons' losing run in all competitions was extended to 11 matches in remarkable fashion with a 24-20 loss at Edinburgh.

The Welsh side led 20-3 with eight minutes remaining but somehow contrived to lose, Blair Kinghorn and Damien Hoyland going over to get Edinburgh back to within three.

With the clock having ticked past 80 minutes, captain Grant Gilchrist got the ball down and, after consultation with the TMO, the try was awarded to cap a stunning fightback.

At the wrong end of the table, bottom club Zebre earned a losing bonus point in their 30-24 defeat at Cardiff Blues - sealed through Dries van Schalkwyk's late try, despite the visitors being down to 14 after Dario Chistolini was sent off for striking.

It represented an impressive recovery from Zebre, who had trailed 23-3 at the break - Gareth Anscombe responsible for 18 of those Cardiff points before the Wales international added two more in the second period.

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