Edinburgh get over Payne

Munster - 17 Edinburgh - 28 A weakened Munster side fell in another Celtic League hurdle at Musgrave Park last night.

Munster had just four of their Heineken European Cup stars in action and the more experienced Edinburgh made them pay with four tries after a powerful performance from their pack.

Munster were certainly lively and did everything possible to keep the 3,000-strong crowd on their toes. A succession of handling errors didn't help, however; and Edinburgh were full value for the win.

Munster started brightly when Shaun Payne was sent in for an eighth-minute try; but Edinburgh took firm control of the first-half proceedings.

After a couple of close calls, Alistair Hogg equalised with Edinburgh's opening try and Alistair Warnock kicked a penalty.

Hugo Southwell emphasised Edinburgh's growing supremacy 13 minutes from the break when he snatched the second try to give his side a well-deserved 13-5 lead at the interval.

It was nip and tuck for much of the second half as Munster upped their performance. Jason Holland kicked a penalty; but Edinburgh captain Todd Blackadder grabbed a try which Warnock converted.

Holland responded with two penalties but Edinburgh finished stronger. Warnock kicked a penalty after 25 minutes and, in injury time, Alisdair Strokosch added the final touch with a try.

MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, J Kelly, R Henderson, J Holland (capt); E Reddan, F Roche; J Flannery, G McIlwham, T Hogan, D Pusey, S Keogh, C McMahon, P Malone. Replacaments: M Cahill for Roche (54 mins); T Hayes & M Melbourne for Hogan & Keogh (both 76 mins); C O'Sullivan for Henderson (80 mins).

EDINBURGH: D Lee; S Webster, M de Rollo, T Philip, H Southwell; A Warnock, M Blair; A Jacobsen, A Kelly, J Brannigan, A Kellock, S Murray, T Blackadder(capt), S Cross, A Hogg. Replacements: C Smith for Brannigan, G Perrett for Murray (both 51 mins); A Strokosch for Cross (62 mins);

Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)

OTHER CELTIC LEAGUE RESULTS: Glasgow 19, Celtic Warriors 44; Neath-Swansea Ospreys 60, Borders 7; Gwent Dragons v Cardiff Blues postponed to today.