Celtic League/Munster 21 Ulster 15: Munster kept their Celtic League dreams alive when overcoming Ulster in a bruising encounter at Musgrave Park last evening.
Scrumhalf Frank Murphy was man of the match on a night when his outhalf Paul Burke received plenty of clean possession.
It was a game of contrasting styles - the first half sprightly and expansive, the second bereft of continuity and attritional. But that won't matter to Munster, who bossed their opponents up front in that second period.
Burke slotted a penalty after five minutes before the Ulstermen replied with an opportunistic try. Tommy Bowe, who impressed at fullback, sent a Garryowen deep inside the Munster half, Jim Williams misread the flight, and the hop fell for Bowe, who raced over unchallenged.
Gary Longwell was sinbinned in the 14th minute and Munster took advantage, Murphy and Burke setting up John Kelly, who went over in the corner, Burke missing the conversion. Ulster replied with a Paddy Wallace drop goal before the excellent Roger Wilson went over for his side's second try in the 35th minute. Wallace's conversion was a sublime effort from the touchline.
Munster upped the tempo and Burke converted a penalty in the 38th minute before Munster scored what Alan Gaffney said was the best try of his three years in charge, the ball sweeping with speed and accuracy between backs and forwards before David Wallace touched down. Burke's conversion made it 18-15 at half-time.
The only score in a forgettable second half was a penalty from the boot of Burke.
MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson , A Horgan; P Burke, F Murphy; F Roche, J Flannery, G McIlwham, T Bowman, T Hogan, A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Williams (capt). Replacements: J Holland for Henderson (62 mins); E McGovern for McIlwham (76 mins).
ULSTER: T Bowe; S Young, S Mallon, P Steinmetz, T Howe; P Wallace, K Campbell; R McCormick, P Shields, R Moore, G Longwell, M McCullough, A Ward, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: B Young for Moore (52 mins); C Feather for Ward (59 mins); N Brady for Shields (71 mins).
