Munster Win A Close One

Two second half Paul Warwick penalties added to two first half tries helped Munster to a 23-17 win over Scarlets this evening in Musgrave Park

The visitors had the ideal start when Rhys Priestland converted hisown try after just two minutes of play.However, the Munster response was immediate and Jean de Villiers scored his try just four minutes later, Warwick adding the extras.

Scarlets took the lead again with a 37th minute Priestland penalty but Munster once again struckbackquickly, Warwick converting a penalty for an incident that saw Deacon Manu yellow carded and then  backs and forwards combined in injury time for a move that ended with the impressive James Coughlan crashing over.

Half-time: Munster 17-8 Scarlets.

Priestland and Warwick exchanged early second half penalties and with the exchanges fierce throughout Priestland edged the penalty battle in the latter stages, 2-1 but Munster held their nerve in a close end game for a victory that takes them to third place in the table.

Munster: S Deasy; D Howlett (D Hurley 54 min), T Gleeson, J de Villiers, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer (D Williams 65 min) (J Manning); M Horan, D Varley (D Fogarty 60 min), J Brugnaut (D Ryan 60 min); M O’Driscoll capt, B Holland; N Williams (A Quinlan 65 min), N Ronan (T O’Donnell 73 min), J Coughlan.

Scarlets: D Newton; J Ajuwa, R King, J Davies, A Fenby; R Priestland, T Knoyle; I Thomas, K Owens, D Manu;  L Reed, D Day; J Turnbull, R Pugh, D Lyons capt. Replacements: P John, E Phillips, D Welch, R McCusker, M Roberts, D Evans, G Maule.