Magners League round-up:Munster extended their lead to 12 points at the top of the table as they claimed a 16-15 victory over Cardiff Blues at the City Stadium tonight, their first victory away victory over the Welsh outfit since 2005.
Number eight James Coughlan bustled his way over for a try in the first half following a dazzling run from Keith Earls, with Ronan O’Gara adding the rest of the points, landing three penalties and a conversion.
O’Gara missed three penalties in the second half to go with an early opportunity he put wide, but Munster coach Tony McGahan will be delighted that his side kept Cardiff from crossing the line in an at times fractious affair.
Leigh Halfpenny kicked four penalties in the first half but Munster went in 13-12 to the good following Coughlan’s 14th-minute try, converted by O’Gara, who also knocked over two penalties.
Substitute Dan Parks did put Cardiff 15-13 ahead in the 54th minute when he landed a drop goal, but Munster held on for the final quarter after O’Gara regained the one-poimt margin with a penalty just past the hour mark.
Ulster jumped ahead of Ospreys into second spot in the table as they beat Glasgow 22-19 at Firhill with the help of another kicking masterclass from scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar.
The South African knocked over five penalties and converted his own try in the 69th minute to seal the four points.
Glasgow’s Duncan Weir had tied the scores at 19-19 with a penalty on 78 minutes but Pienaar held his nerve to knock over the final score of the game right on the whistle.
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