MAGNERS LEAGUE - Munster 23 Scarlets 17:MUNSTER MOVED back into contention for a Magners League play-off spot last night with a workmanlike victory over the Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park.
Paul Warwick kicked 13 points for the champions, whilst Jean de Villiers and James Coughlan were both among the tries for Tony McGahan’s men as they kept the heat on Leinster near the top of the table.
The Scarlets offered some resistance, particularly in the first half, but seemed to run out of steam as the clock wore on and could have little complaint with the scoreline.
Munster came into the game minus nine front-line international players, and also started the match with both Alan Quinlan and Denis Fogarty on the bench.
The Scarlets, meanwhile, were slightly less disrupted by international involvement and were able to welcome Welsh internationals Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens back into their squad.
The opening exchanges were slightly chaotic, and the large home crowd fell silent after just two minutes when Welsh international outhalf Rhys Priestland blocked down a loose kick by Warwick and ran in from 80 metres.
From the restart, Munster then claimed the ball and worked an opening for Jean de Villiers to barge home from close range.
Warwick added the conversion to leave the score 7-5 after just five minutes. Frenetic stuff.
The remaining 35 minutes of the half didn’t quite live up the excitement of the opening five, but weren’t short on incident either.
Munster were lucky to escape when Warwick had another kick blocked down by Priestland; this time they had enough bodies in the way to prevent a second try.
De Villiers, meanwhile, was a constant thorn in the Scarlets defence, and repeatedly broke the gain line with relative ease.
Warwick and Priestland traded penalties and Deacon Manu put his side in trouble when he was yellow-carded for an early tackle on Nick Williams. Munster took full advantage of their extra man and Coughlan went over for a converted try to send them into the break leading 17-8.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first. Warwick scored two more penalties for Munster whilst Priestland kept the Scarlets in touch with a couple of decent kicks.
The prospect of a further try seemed remote for long spells as Munster generally kicked for the corners to keep the Scarlets penned back in their own half.
Priestland did manage another penalty late on to secure the losing bonus point for his side, and Munster were made to sweat slightly when Tommy O’Donnell was sent to the bin for the final minutes.
Denis Hurley was lucky not to follow him or a clumsy trip but Munster regained their composure and held out to seal the win.
MUNSTER:S Deasy; D Howlett, T Gleeson, J de Villiers, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; M Horan, D Varley,J Brugnaut; B Holland, M O'Driscoll capt; N Williams, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Hurley for Howlett (53 mins), D Ryan for Brugnaut, D Fogarty for Varley (both 60 mins), D Williams for Stringer, A Quinlan for N Williams (both 65 mins), T O'Donnell for Ronan (72 mins), J Manning for D Williams (75 mins)
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 for Turnbull (40-50 mins), D Evans for Newton (53 mins), R McCusker for Pugh (61 mins), D Evans for R King (67 mins), P John for Owens, M Roberts for Knoyle (both 70 mins)
Referee:Neil Paterson (SRU)
Tries:Priestland Pens: Priestland 4
