Match Report: Munster secure bonus point win against Scarlets

Munster moved up the URC table this evening after overcoming Scarlets 29-8 at Thomond Park, in a second bonus-point victory in a row.

A scrappy first half left the score 7-3 at half time, thanks to a Shay McCarthy try and conversion from Billy Burns. Ioan Lloyd got three from the tee for the Welsh side.

The second half saw Munster come out completely rejuvenated, with Gavin Coombes scoring two, and as well as Alex Kendellen diving over from close range and Tom Farrell in the last minute.

Next up Munster will take on Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park on Friday, February 28, 7.35pm. 

It was a messy start for both teams, with Scarlets winning a penalty in the first two minutes. Ioan Lloyd however didn’t manage to convert.

The recently returned from injury Josh Wycherley intercepted an overthrown lineout, and Scarlet’s centre Joe Roberts was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on in the ensuing play, the visitors went down to 14 men.

Almost immediately Tom Ahern got over the line from the back of a maul, but the try was disallowed for a knock-on in the build-up.

Scarlets earnt themselves a long-range penalty just inside the first 20 minutes which Lloyd converted for the first points of the game to give a 3-0 advantage.

Diarmuid Kilgallen’s replacement on the wing, Shay McCarthy, had an instant impact diving over for Munster’s first try of the match. This superb backline manoeuvre saw the ball offloaded to the Academy man by Tom Farrell. Burns converted, Munster managing to take advantage of the Scarlets side that was one man down, 7-3.

Gavin Coombes got over for five points and try number two at 43 minutes, with Burns just off target, the ball going wide for the conversion, 12-3.The try seemed to energise the Munstermen, and they had a period of dominant attacking play working the ball from one side to the other. The Thomond Park crowd got behind them as they inched closer, Shane Daly getting within two metres but not quite managing to convert their effort.

Munster built the phases, and Alex Kendellen spotted a gap between the Scarlets defence, to get a third try for the home side. Burns slotted the ball between the uprights in a difficult conversion, 19-3 after 52 minutes.

An offload from Lloyd followed by a chip and chase from substitute Macs Page meant Scarlets got their first try of the match. Despite a fantastic defensive effort from Paddy Patterson to try and stop the ball from being grounded.

Munster scored their fourth and bonus point try through Coombes who got down for his second after 63 minutes, the conversion went wide, 24-8.

Shane Daly picked up a frustrating yellow card in the last minutes of the game, just before Tom Farrell forced his way over with the clock in the red. The conversion was wide, leaving the final score 29-8.

Munster: Ben O’Connor; Shane Daly, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen (Shay McCarthy ’15); Billy Burns (Tony Butler ‘65), Ethan Coughlan (Paddy Patterson ’56); Josh Wycherley (Kieran Ryan ’55), Diarmuid Barron (Niall Scannell ’65), Oli Jager (John Ryan ’56), Tom Ahern (John Hodnett ’51), Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue (C) (Brian Gleeson ’40), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Shay McCarthy.

Round 11 Round up

Munster scored five tries in a bonus point win.

Gavin Coombes was BKT URC Player of the Match.