Stubborn Scarlets no match for fleet-footed Munstermen

Munster 29,Scarlets 8
IT is hard to describe the first half of this URC clash tonight in Thomond Park. Munster had the bulk of possession and territory, they forced numerous penalties, were continually within the try line but could not finish and the 7-3 half time lead should have been double that score. A second try five minutes after the break set the mood for the second half, Gavin Coombes touching down and Burs missing the convert and with the Scarlets tiring, Alex Kendellen touched down, Burns again converted and the scoreboard read Munster, 19, Scarlets 3 coming up to the three-quarter-mark. Ian Costelloe emptied the bench but the best try of the game was coming from the visitors when Macs Page who out-foxed the home defence to touch down near the corner flag. At 19-8, Munster needed to make sure of this win and get the next score. The bonus point was cecured on 65 minutes, Gavin Coombes and Billy Burns again missed the posts. Right at the end, Munster added fifth try, Tom Farrell touching down at the Ba;llynanty end. 

The teams traded penalties in thr opening two minutes,  Ioan Lloyd had the distance but not the accuracy, and the first scrum indicated that Munster had the edge. The first ten minutes was dominated by the home side and it looked like the inevitable first score had arrived on 12 minutes, Tom Aherne going over unopposed and Burns converting, but it was ruled out by the TMO. With 17 minutes on the clock it was the Scarlets’ chance to score and Ioan Lloyd obliged to put his side 0-3 ahead with a penalty from a good position. The lead did not last long, replacement, Shay McCarthy finishing off a good build-up to touch down at the Mayorstone end. Billy Burns converted to put his side 7-3 in front going into the second quarter.

A few verbals to the referee almost proved costly for the visitors but Munster were finding it very difficult to breach the Scarlets defence.  It was all Munster in that first half and the stats will show clearly the extent of their possession. The Welsh defence was brilliant and they could have been down more than tha four points at the break. Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel will hardly be pleased with his side’s showing but they fouoght right up to the finish.

Munster: Ben O’Connor (Highfield RFC/PBC), Shane Daly (Highfield RFC/PBC), Tom Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), Rory Scannell (PBC), Diarmuid Kilgallen (Naas RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Billy Burns (Beechen Cliff/Hartpury College), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Diarmuid Barron (Cashel RFC/Rockwell College), Oli Jager (Naas RFC/Newbridge College/Blackrock College), Tom Ahern (Youghal RFC/Dungarvan RFC/Waterpark RFC), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Jack O’Donoghue (CAPT) (Waterpark RFC), Alex Kendellen (PBC), Gavin Coombes (Skibbereen RFC)
Replacements: Niall Scannell (PBC), Kieran Ryan (Shannon RFC/St Munchin’s College), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC), Brian Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College), John Hodnett (Clonakilty RFC), Paddy Patterson (Blackrock College), Tony Butler (Ennis RFC), Shay McCarthy (Richmond RFC/St Munchin’s College)
Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas (Pontyberem), Ellis Mee (West Bridgeford), Joe Roberts (Burry Port), Johnny Williams (Rams), Steff Evans (Felinfoel), Ioan Lloyd (CRICC), Gareth Davies (CAPT) (Newcastle Emlyn), Kemsley Mathias (Narberth), Marnus van der Merwe (Hoërskool Nelspruit), Archer Holz (Lightning Ridge Tigers RL / Eastern Suburbs), Max Douglas (Manly Marlins), Sam Lousi (Bay Roskill Vikings), Taine Plumtree (Old Boys University, Wellington), Dan Davis (Llandeilo), Vaea Fifita (Lions, Tonga)
Replacements: Ryan Elias (Carmarthen Athletic), Alec Hepburn (Henley Hawks), Sam Wainwright (Rhyl), Alec Craig (Stewartry), Jarrod Taylor (Western Province), Archie Hughes (Tenby), Charlie Titcombe (Stanford), Macs Page (Crymych)

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 13th league game)
AR 1: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU) AR 2: Paul Haycock (IRFU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

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