Enisei-STM Edge Out Munster Development XV

Wednesday night saw a Munster Development XV loose narrowly to Russian outfit Enisei-STM in Musgrave Park, Cork. This was the fourth time the teams have met in five years and last night saw the Russians score their second win on the trot over Munster.

Enisei displayed dominance up front for the first fifteen minutes, the visitors getting the better of Munster in both the scrum and maul. Keeping it tight at first, Enisei then spread it wide, sending their fly half over the line close to the posts after 4 minutes.

Munster had little of the ball for the first fifteen minutes and didn’t help themselves by failing to secure their own line out ball, missing touch from a penalty and running the ball into touch on a couple of occasions. The home side eventually got a foothold in the game after 16 minutes when a great run from Niall Kenneally saw Steve McMahon run in their first try. Tom Kiersey was on hand to convert.

Enisei forwards continued to prove formidable opposition with a number of line out steals and were effective in neutralising the Munster maul. The pressure ultimately saw Munster penalised for repeated offside and Dan Goggin received ten minutes in the sin bin.

The second twenty minutes treated onlookers to a wealth of tries, Darren Moroney with an intercept try after 27 minutes and the Enisei full back replying just minutes later. The try of the half went to Munster full back Steve McMahon whose dancing footwork saw him beat a number of defenders for Munster’s fourth try.

Alex Wootton brought the first half to a happy conclusion for the hosts, picking up loose ball from the side of a ruck and running the length of the field to score. With Tom Kiersey kicking all conversions, it was Munster 28 Enesei-STM 12 at half time

Half time saw the introduction of Lee Nicholas and Greg O’Shea for Munster but the home side failed to kick on from their impressive end to the first half and it was the visitors who drew first blood with a try on 51 minutes.

Munster’s defence was caught napping when a number of missed tackles saw Enisei through again on the 60th and 64th minute respectively.

With all replacements introduced during the second half Munster continued to struggle up front, often failing to secure their own line out ball and Enisei winning most of the contested ball on the ground.

The Russian side were eventually penalised for not releasing in the tackle and had one of their pack receive a yellow card.

Rather than go for the posts to level the game, Munster chose to kick to touch and take a line out deep inside the visitors 22. Unfortunately the line out again malfunctioned for Munster with Enisei winning back possession.

That was to be the last attacking opportunity for either side with the visitors winning out on a full time score of Munster Development XV 28 Enisei-STM 31.

Overall it was a productive contest for the development side with all players getting game-time against a very physical outfit.

Munster Development XV: Steve McMahon, Darren Moroney, Dan Goggin, Niall Kenneally, Alex Wootton; Tom Kiersey, Jamie Glynn; Niall Horan, Kevin O'Byrne, Mike Lynch; Sean McCarthy, Joe McSweeny; Diarmuid Dee, Ryan Murphy, Jack O'Donoghue Capt.

Replacements from: Sean McNulty, Conor Glynn, Ger Sweeney, Lee Nicholas, John Madigan, Shane Buckley, Aidan Butler, Luke Cahill, Brian Haugh, Sam Sterling, Harry McNulty, Greg O'Shea.

Munster Development players look on as Enisei kick the conversion

Steve McMahon on his way to scoring for Munster

Niall Kenneally on the attack

Darren Moroney runs in Munster's second try

Munster's Ryan Murphy and Tom Kiersey make the tackle in midfield

Jamie Glynn on the attack

Brian Haugh breaks the tackle

Luke Cahill takes it on for Munster