Munster deserve victory after a one-sided URC game

Munster Rugby 21, Zebre Parma 7
Thomond Park, Limerick

Munster started with some conviction and within eight minutes they led 7-0 when Shane Daly finished off a nice backline move and JJ Hanrahan added the  conversion. If we expected a run  of scores at this cold Thomond Park we were disappointed.

Zebre were very poor in the first quarter and every time that Munster got the ball out wide they threatened to put a score on the board to add to their lead. With the first quarter indicated on  the scoreboard, Zebre had not threatened the home line until 24 minutes when they forced a penalty but they still could not penetrate the Munster rearguard. Then Zebre got a break near the home line, they were patient and Bautista Stavile touched down with out-half Simone Gesi levelling the game with the conversion. 

I have seldom seen such unecessary errors in the first half at this level, with both sides guilty of a high level of knock-ons, spills and lack of cohesion in this URC fixture. The second half was a bit better. On 45 minutes Munster’s Paddy Patterson appeared to have a touchdown but the TMO ruled a knock-on as ther errors on both siders continued. It was time to make the changes and  on came Edwin Edogbo and Lee Barrron. The ball spent so muchtime  in the air that it was like giving a sweets to a child! Coming up to the start  of the last quarter, Munster needed a score but another knock-on four minutes from the line again spoilt the score. On 62 minutes Munster forced a lineout five metres from the Zebre line and this time they scored, Alex Kendellen touching down and it was converted by JJ Hanrahan. Munster were on fire now and it was clear that Zebre had given their best and they scored again on 70 minutes, JJ Hanrahan converting.The home side tried hard to get the fourth try but they will settle for the victory.

JJReferee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 95th league game)
AR 1: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU) AR 2: Max Weston (IRFU)
TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)
Munster Rugby: Mike Haley (Preston Grasshoppers/Hartpury College), Calvin Nash (Young Munster RFC/Crescent College Comp), Tom Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), Dan Kelly (Rochdale Rugby Union/Kirkham Grammar), Shane Daly (Highfield RFC/PBC), JJ Hanrahan (Castleisland RFC/Rockwell College), Paddy Patterson (Blackrock College); Michael Milne (Birr RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Niall Scannell (PBC/Dolphin RFC), Michael Ala’alatoa (West Harbour RFC), Jean Kleyn (Hoërskool Linden), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Gavin Coombes (Skibbereen RFC/Bandon Grammar), Jack O’Donoghue (CAPT) (Waterpark RFC), Brian Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College)
Replacements: Lee Barron (Lansdowne RFC/St Michael’s College), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC), Edwin Edogbo (Cobh Pirates RFC), Alex Kendellen (PBC), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Tom Wood (Ballina Killaloe RFC/St Munchin’s College), Seán O’Brien (Mullingar RFC).

Zebre Parma: Giovanni Montemauri (US Primavera Rugby), Albert Einstein Batista (Rugby Rufus San Vincenzo), Giulio Bertaccini (Amatori Rugby Parma), Damiano Mazza (Rugby Parma 1931), Simone Gesi (Livorno Rugby), Giacomo Da Re (Benetton), Gonzalo Garcia (Natación y Gimnasia); Juan Pitinari (Logaritmo Rugby), Giampietro Ribaldi (Caimani Rugby), Enrique Pieretto (Cordoba Atletic Club), Matteo Canali (Rugby Ariccia), Alessandro Ortombina (Rugby Club Valpolicella), Bautista Stavile (Mendoza Rugby Club), Samuele Locatelli (Rugby Lecco), Giacomo Ferrari (CAPT) (Unione Rugby Capitolina)

Replacements: Giovanni Quattrini (Gattico Rugby), Paolo Buonfiglio (ASD Sesto Rugby), Luca Franceschetto (Amatori Rugby Vicenza), Guido Volpi (Circolo Universitario De Quilmes), Iacopo Bianchi (Vasari Rugby Arezzo), Thomas Dominguez (Club Atletico San Isidro), Martin Roger Farias (Santiago Lawn Tennis), Maro Zanon (Rugby Bassano)

You must be logged in to post a comment Login