Munster run out of gas in the valleys

Dragons 20 Munster 6:THREE GAMES in 12 days proved too much for Munster last night as they fell to defeat against Newport in Wales. Tony McGahan's side had lost their last three in the valleys prior to last night and they were distinctly second best in south east Wales.

First-half tries by Tom Riley and Gavin Thomas left them with a small mountain to climb and though they never lost heart they rarely looked like making up the difference thereafter.

On the night, they were simply beaten by the better side who played to their full potential.

The opening stages were evenly contested. Munster looked keen to run the ball when possible but in fact made better gains when Paul Warwick put boot to ball.

The Dragons passed up three early opportunities for points when Jason Tovey went wide with successive penalty attempts, and then declined another from kickable range.

The Dragons eventually opened the score on 22 minutes when Riley cut a clever line against the grain after Toby Faletau led the charge after a turnover in midfield.

Tovey converted and the Welsh region led 7-0, which on balance they probably deserved.

Munster’s task was made even more difficult two minutes later when centre Sam Tuitupou was binned for a late hit on Tovey.

Newport sought to make the most of their one-man advantage, and were twice referred upstairs following close-range drives.

Thomas was adjudged to have lost control of the ball on the first occasion, but made no mistake second time round.

Tovey converted to increase the margin to 14 points, and more hardship followed when James Coughlan joined Tuitupou in the bin for a necessary but nonetheless professional foul.

Warwick eventually got Munster off the mark with a penalty a minute before half-time but Tovey responded with one of his own to send the Dragons into the break leading 17-3.

Munster started the second half brightly and Warwick reduced the deficit with a penalty two minutes in. Dragons captain Tom Willis was then binned for hands in the ruck as Munster finally applied some pressure, but they were prevented from capitalising when the referee bizarrely pinged them for a slow lineout put in five metres out.

Willis came back on 10 minutes later without Munster getting anywhere near the Dragons’ try line during his absence.

Instead, it was the home side who asked the more serious questions, though Barry Murphy almost intercepted a pass in his own half which could have taken him clear.

Murphy, who switched to the wing after the introduction of Lifeimi Mafi, was again to the fore minutes later when he chipped cleverly ahead but Tovey won out in a foot race to the line.

Tovey then marched up the other end and dropped over a goal to put further daylight between the sides.

Munster probably deserved a try for their efforts late on and almost got one when Scott Deasy made a superb break but he was caught short and the chance disappeared, and with it any hopes of a comeback.

MUNSTER: S Deasy; D Howlett (capt), B Murphy, S Tuitupou (T Gleeson 72), D Hurley (L Mafi 56); P Warwick, T OLeary (C Murray 75); D Ryan (W du Preez 41), M Sherry (S Henry 62), J Hayes (P Borlase 41); B Holland, I Nagle (B Hayes 75) ; T ODonnell (P OMahony 55), N Ronan, J Coughlan.

DRAGONS: P Leach; A Hughes, T Riley, A Smith, A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans; P Price, T Willis (L Burns 74), N Hall; L Charteris, R Sidoli (A Jones 61); L Evans (L Burns 53-63), G Thomas, T Faletau.

Referee: David Bodilly (WRU)