Munster ‘A’ earned their place in the semi-final of the B&I Cup last night following a 9-20 win over the Ulster Ravens last night in Ravenhill.
Ravens 9 Munster 'A' 20
Head Coach, Ian Cosello was delighted with his side’s performance who await an open draw next Sunday, 29th January in London to decide whether it will be a home or away semi final in the week-end of 6th, 7th and 8th April against either Leinster, Cornish Pirates or Cross Keys.
Munster ‘A’ outhalf Scott Deasy opened the scoring with a penalty from 40 metres out. His opposite number Paddy Jackson had two opportunities to draw level, the second of which he dispatched.
A neat backline move by the Munstermen, with Australian centre Will Chambers to the fore, allowed Luke O'Dea to break down the left touchline but Luke Marshall and Conor Gaston combined to keep him out.
Another well-worked attack from the visiting backs created space for the dangerous Chambers who sliced open the Ravens defence in midfield. His well-timed pass sent fullback Sean Scanlon over the whitewash and Deasy landed the simple conversion to put his side 3-10 up.
Jackson missed a fairly straightforward penalty attempt before Munster scored their second try. Chambers was again involved and he supplied a pass to Deasy who cut a great angle to touch down under the posts. He added the extras to put Munster 3-17 up at the interval.
The Ravens started the second half brightly and Jackson immediately cut into the lead with a well struck effort. Deasy and Jackson swapped penalties to leave the score at 9-20 after an hour.
Ulster improved in the last 15 minute and the pressure told as replacement hooker Mike Sherry was sin binned. They continued to fight their way back into the game but a combination of poor handling and excellent defence from Munster kept them out.
