Munster too good by half

Celtic League/ Munster 29; Borders 21: Munster recorded their sixth win of their Celtic League campaign but got a rare fright from lowly Borders at Musgrave Park last night.

It was another miracle turnaround from Munster, who after trailing 8-21 at the break played a spellbinding second half to overcome the gallant Scottish region.

Munster played a composed if unspectacular opening 15 minutes and indications were that the Borders would be in for another pummelling.

With five of the side that defeated Bourgoin last weekend, there seemed to be enough power in Munster's game.

After eight minutes Jeremy Staunton claimed his 100th point in the Celtic league with a penalty and Munster's ownership of possession resulted in a try from James Blaney in the 12th minute.

But a missed Staunton conversion set the tone for the remainder of Munster's forgettable first half.

Borders swept downfield and in their first really sustained attack flanker Daniel Kane broke through a tissue-like Munster defence. Then in the 26th minute Scott MacLeod broke through the same creaky Munster defence as the Irish side were outmuscled in all facets of their game.

Borders were now relentless, playing with a spirit and confidence they had lacked in the European Cup, and where once they were tentative they were now in control.

And in the 32nd minute another break through a rattled Munster defence by Cameron Murray released Kane for his second try, which Morton converted.

Alan Gaffney must certainly have had some harsh words to say at the break as a reinvigorated Munster XV emerged with Dominic Crotty, Mike Mullins and Jerry Flannery coming in to reignite their game.

Throwing everything at the visitors, Anthony Horgan broke through a severely under-pressure Borders and when Holland converted it set up a solid platform for the comeback.

Horgan then sent out a pointed message to the Irish selectors, storming in for his second in the 59th minute. Picking the ball up on the Borders 10-metre line, he showed real power and pace to beat off two defenders for a fine solo try.

It was now 22-21 to the home side. Game on.

A clearly rattled Borders could not get or even retain ball as Munster's relentless charge for a fourth try and bonus point continued unabated.

Seven minutes into injury time Munster got their just reward when a beautiful inside pass by Holland put Rob Henderson in under the posts and Holland's conversion ended a night of high drama.

MUNSTER: J Staunton; M Lawlor, J Jones-Hughes, R Henderson, A Horgan; J Holland (capt), E Reddan; S Kerr, J Blaney, G McIlwham, T Hogan, D Pusey, P Malone, D Wallace, S Keogh. Replacements: M Mullins for Jones-Hughes, D Crotty for J Staunton, J Flannery for Blaney (all half-time); T Hayes for Malone (71 mins); F Roche for Kerr (83 mins).

BORDERS: S Paterson; N Walker, G Morton, K Utterson, C Murray; T Vili, G Armstrong; C Dunlea, S Scott, G Cross, S MacLeod, C Stewart, A Rennick, D Kane, S Sititi. Replacements: R Ford for Scott (61 mins); K Todd for Dunlea (63 mins); T Walker for Rennick (75 mins).

Referee N Owens (Wales)