AN absorbing contest with a thrilling end-game and a timely tonic for Leinster seven days before they head back into Europe. The wind blew hard and Leinster may have lacked fluency, struggling desperately to provide quick ball for their all-star back-line, but they kept going in the face of a couple of harsh refereeing decisions, and had the spirit to come from behind deep into injury time.

This win lifts them to within two points of Munster at the top of the Magners League table but the general effect on morale is infinitely more valuable to them. One moment, you had Nicky Robinson dropping a goal to put Cardiff in front and the game apparently up. The next, Shane Horgan was snaffling the restart and, when a Cardiff player went off his feet, Contepomi was on target for his seventh spot kick out of seven.

That’s not to say coach Michael Cheika is without his problems ahead of what looks like the pivotal game of the season against Wasps in Twicken-ham next week. He claims to know his best back-line yet it was hardly part of his plans to replace struggling fly-half Isa Nacewa early in the second half. Meanwhile, there are further doubts concerning the fitness of C J van der Linde who was replaced in the first half and taken to hospital for a scan on an injured foot.

On the plus side, Leo Cullen played a full 80 minutes on his return from injury, and Leinster’s set-pieces went well. Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll ran purposefully on a scant ration of ball and Rob Kearney ended any arguments about his right to play at full-back. Cheika could also be happy with the communal determination that took his side over the line.

“Believe me, I know we didn’t play well,” said Cheika afterwards. “We couldn’t get a lot of flow in the game but we showed a lot of mettle at the end to hang in there, get that ball back and to be that hungry. We need to be like that more often, really. But it’s three games in a row now where we’ve been in tight situations and we’ve been able to come out the other side of it. That’s the pleasing side, the self-belief in the team.”

They had trailed 11-9 after playing into a gale first up. Leigh Halfpenny kicked Cardiff off the mark in the eighth minute when Cullen was pinged for not releasing but, principally using Kearney’s prodigious left boot, Leinster exerted enough pressure for Contepomi to draw them level.

In fact, Leinster enjoyed quite a spell of dominance mid-half thanks to one wondrous take by Kearney, who countered menacingly to set up an attacking lineout in the right corner, only for Brian Blaney’s throw to get caught by the wind. This wasn’t their only missed opportunity, either.

Overelaboration in midfield cost them a try after Leinster had shoved the Blues off the ball and they had to be happy with Contepomi’s second penalty when Jason Spice gave up 10 metres for losing his rag after one of the usual surfeit of penalties for players going off their feet at the ruck.

Perhaps sensing they needed to cash in on the wind assistance, Cardiff went up a gear in the second quarter and after Halfpenny kicked them level, they scored the only try of the half - a controversial affair, started and finished by No 8 Andy Powell, who had been putting himself about with his usual energy.

Leinster were more concerned with the part played by Maama Molitika, who clearly blocked Gordon D’Arcy as Nicky Robinson floated an overhead pass to Powell running into the right corner. The reaction of both D’Arcy and the crowd should have been enough to convince referee Peter Allan that it would be worth his while to consult with his TMO. But for the second time in eight days at the RDS, a referee took the word of his assistant and a bad call stood.

At least it sparked Leinster into an angry reaction. Unfortunately, a couple of players’ decision-making let them down. Nacewa spoiled a whopping overlap with a long floated cut-out when simple hands was a better option. Then Rocky Elsom blew a try-scoring opportunity by ignoring his support runners. The running line he took off Contepomi was superb and you could only admire the strength that almost took him over the line, but it was a chance lost - off the recycle, the TMO ruled that O’Driscoll had placed a foot in touch.

At least Contepomi kicked his third penalty before the break and when he nudged Leinster in front in the 45th minute following strong carries by O’Driscoll and Elsom, Leinster must have been feeling better about themselves.

It was a bit early for this, however. Having missed his next shot at goal, Halfpenny knocked over the next two kicks into the gale, as Leinster struggled to keep their line intact. Horgan made a crucial interception five metres from his own line and Jamie Heaslip made an important steal.

Ollie le Roux brought some poundage and inspiration off the bench and then O’Driscoll was denied a try by the TMO for a double movement - another unpopular decision with the crowd. But just as Robinson appeared to have sickened them, Horgan leaped high to give Contepomi another shot at goal. He never looked like missing.

Star man:Felipe Contepomi

Scorers: Leinster: Pens:Contepomi 7 Cardiff: Try:Powell 30Pens:Halfpenny 4 DG:Robinson

LEINSTER:R Kearney; S Horgan, B O’Driscoll, F Contepomi, G D’Arcy; I Nacewa (L Fitzgerald, 50), C Whitaker; S Wright, B Blaney, CJ van der Linde (C Healy 34), L Cullen (capt), D Toner (M O’Kelly 50),R Elsom, S O’Brien, J Heaslip

CARDIFF:L Halfpenny; G Thomas, J Robinson,T Shanklin (J Roberts, 71), T James; N Robinson, J Spice (R Rees, 64); D Yapp (G Jenkins, 64), R Thomas (G Williams, 59), B Davies, P Tito (capt), M Molitika, R Sowden-Taylor, A Powell (X Rush, 59)

Referee:P Allan Attendance:14,470