Last gasp penalty proves costly for brave Munster

Castres Olympique 16, Munster 14

IT was hardly a classic but tonight’s Investec Champions Cup match went down to the wire. Ttailing 16-14 and the clock reading 80 minutes+ Jack Crowley had the cruelest of luck when his penalty kick for position was fielded inches from the touchline. Match over and a cruel blow to Munster’s chances of success in this competition.

A well taken try from John Hodnett two minutes before half time, converted by Jack Crowley, set up a tense second half. Castres had dominated most of the first 40 minutes but when they lost their prop Quentin Walcker to a yellow card, they allowed John Hodnett to burrow his way past three tacklers to touch down. The home side enjoyed much of the possession in the opening 35 minutes and tries by Abraham Papalii and Quentin Walcker, both conversions were missed. It was 10-7 at the break 

The second half was a nail-biting affair with Fernandes putting his side 13-7 ahead with a well-struck penalty on 48 minutes and the home side missed a sitter from in front of the posts with 61 minutes played. Seven minutes later, Munster’s best player John Hodnett got his second try and Crowley’s conversion put his side into a 13-14 lead with 12 minutes remaining. Castres forced a lineout on the Munster 22 but they lost possession. With the clock heading for the 80 minutes Munster were awarded a penalty, a huddle of players decided to go to the corner but Jack Crowley’s failed to find touch and any hope of a dramatic late victory vanished,

It was a very physical encounter and Munster paid the price with a number of injuries particularly to scrum half Craig Casey who suffered a knee injury

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