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Calvin Nash on scoresheet as Munster get expected win

(Pictured, Zebre coach Michael Bradley)
Guinness PRO14:
Zebre 19, Munster 36
A BONUS point away victory today for Munster in Parma thanks to an impressive second half display that saw them run in three tries. They struggled a bit in the second quarter of the opening half and held just a three point lead at the break. Munster’s coaching staff will be happy with the display which saw a number of young players get their first run at this level late in the game.
The three point advantage at the break needed bigger effort from the Irish province in that second period and it took them only 12 minutes to get their third try, Alex Wooton scampering over after relentless pressure by the pack. JJ Hanrahan missed the conversion but he landed the next attempt after Wooton availed of a brilliant looping pass by Simon Zebo to race in unopposed for the bonus point try.
Leading 14-29, Munster conceded a third try to Zebre on 68 minutes, left wing D’Onofrio charging over to reduce the lead to 19-29. Shannon’s Jack Stafford and Young Munster’s Calvin Nash will certainly remember their Munster debut day with Nash getting Munster’s fifth try a few minutes from time.
It looked all so easy for Munster with five minutes remaining in the first half in Parma but two converted tries from Zebre had the visitors worried. Munster stormed into a 17-0 lead after 24 minutes. JJ Hanrahan, who missed two easy kicks at the post, put his side into a 3-0 lead after six minutes and then converted a try by Rory Scannell as Munster eased into a 10-0 lead on 17 minutes.
The reds continued to dominate and James Hart squirmed over for his side’s second try which Hanrahan converted to put 17 points between the sides. It looked as if Munster would rattle on from there but Robin Copeland was yellow carded for contesting a ball on the deck at a ruck. Zebre took advantage and Ciaran Gaffney powered through a gap for a great try which Palazzani converted to make it 7-17 on 35 minutes. Zebre attacked again, Sammy Arnold was sent to the bin and with Munster down to 13 players, the Italians scored their second try on the stroke of half time, skipper Jacopo Sarter skipping past the tackles of Hart and O’Donoghue near the touchline for a well-taken touchdown. Palazzani converted to leave Zebre trailing by just three points at the break, 14-17.
Zebre: Ciaran Gaffney; Pierre Bruno*, Giulio Bisegni, Faialaga Afamasaga, Giovanni D’Onofrio*; Maicol Azzolini*, Guglielmo Palazzani; Cruze Ah-Nau, Luhandre Luus*, Eduardo Bello; James Tucker, Leonard Krumov*; Jacopo Sarto (cap), Johan Meyer, Derick Minnie. Replacements, Oliviero Fabiani, Andrea De Marchi, Roberto Tenga, Davide Fragnito* (permit player tesserato con le Fiamme Oro Rugby), Maxime Mbandà*, Riccardo Raffaele*, Matteo Pratichetti, Valerio Bernabò.
Munster: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Sam Arnold, Rory Scannell, Alex Wootton; JJ Hanrahan, James Hart; Liam O’Connor, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete, Robin Copeland. Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Brian Scott, Ciaran Parker, Darren O’Shea, Sean O’Connor, Jack Stafford, Bill Johnston, Calvin Nash.

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