Munster 29 – 8 Scarlets (HT: 7 – 3)
Munster moved up to fifth in the URC table on Saturday night courtesy of a 24-8 win over the Scarlets in Thomond Park.
A brace of tries from Player of the Match Gavin Coombes as well as scores from Shay McCarthy, Alex Kendellen and Tom Farrell helped Ian Costello’s men to victory in front of a 13,714 crowd in Limerick.
It was a damp but mild night on the banks of the Shannon as these two long standing rivals headed for another battle. The Scarlets entered the game just a single point ahead of their hosts in the league table heading into the “Six Nations block” of fixtures.
Despite the five tries, this was a game of dominance that barely went rewarded. Munster had 75% possession, 196 carries and made just 63 tackles; however, they made hard work of proceedings on their return to action.
Munster thought they had the opening try of the night after the ten minute mark. Scarlets centre Joe Roberts was sin-binned for a deliberate knock on, and from the resulting lineout Tom Ahern dotted down. However, referee Federico Vedovelli brought it back, after the conversion after a knock-on at the maul.
It was the visitors who got the scoreboard ticking over. Ioan Lloyd was successful at the second attempt, albeit after a very fortunate decision where Max Douglas’s high clearout was deemed as a hit to the chest. However, their lead did not last long at all.
Once again Munster’s lineout was the catalyst for a score, this time it counted. In a smooth first phase move, impact sub Shay McCarthy was the beneficiary. The young Limerick winger cut in off his wing to take a tip-on pass from Tom Farrell over the line, with Billy Burns adding the extras.
When Munster’s attack got going they looked dangerous, and were the more probing of the two sides in the first half. The back-row pair of Kendellen and Coombes popped up to carry continuously, as Ethan Coughlan directed proceedings from nine. However, the sustained pressure was interjected with scrappy errors, be it loose passes or breakdown inaccuracies.
In spite of their dominant possession stats, Munster failed to find that hammer blow in the opening forty and instead took a slim four point advantage into the sheds at half time.
Just like the first half, the second period got off to another livewire start. Tom Ahern and Shane Daly both helped Munster get deep inside the Scarlets half, before Rory Scannell found touch following another penalty against the Welsh region. Unlike earlier in the game, Munster were ruthless on this visit to the 22. In the end it was Gavin Coombes who dotted down from close range for his 48th try for his native province.
It soon became clear that the Scarlets dam was close to bursting. In spite of a ferocious defensive effort, Munster started to make their league leading transition attack click. Tom Ahern more than made up for the absence of Diarmuid Kilgallen down the left flank, and was pivotal in the build up to try number three.
Once again the proficient midfield attack was coupled with patience near the line. A Cork back-rower would eventually burrow over in the corner, this time however it was Alex Kendellen who dotted down for the fourth time this season. Billy Burns added the extras from a difficult angle, and the hosts had breathing room.
Munster’s momentum would come to a grinding halt however, thanks to a young Welsh phenom. In his first involvement after being subbed in, speedy outside back Macs Page fended off Ben O’Connor, chipped past Shane Daly and beat Paddy Patterson to the ball to score a truly sensational try.
The home side would reap the rewards of a dominant scrummaging night in the build up to their bonus point try. John Ryan won the initial penalty before latching onto Gavin Coombes for the all important score. Coombes made it 50 tries in 115 games for the province, making for a sensational strike rate.
With the clock winding down, Munster winger Shane Daly was sin-binned for a shoulder charge tackle on Joe Roberts, just moments after the Cork Con man came within milimetres of adding a fifth and final try for the province.
That would be followed by Munster putting icing on the cake. Star signing Tom Farrell dived over in the corner to take the margin of victory over 20 points as the rain began to fall.
After the game interim head coach Ian Costello lamented first half inaccuracies, putting them down to rust; but felt the team’s improved calmness was important in the third quarter.
MUNSTER: Ben O’Connor; Shane Daly, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen (Shay McCarthy, 16’); Billy Burns (Tony Butler, 64’), Ethan Coughlan (Paddy Patterson, 55’); Josh Wycherley (Kieran Ryan, 55’), Diarmuid Barron (Niall Scannell 64’), Oli Jager (John Ryan, 55’); Tom Ahern (John Hodnett, 51’ {HIA}), Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue (Brian Gleeson, 40’), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Tries: Shay McCarthy, Gavin Coombes (2), Alex Kendellen, Tom Farrell
Conversions: Billy Burns 2/4, Tony Butler 0/1
Yellow Card: Shane Daly (79’)
SCARLETS: Ioan Nicholas (Macs Page, 55’); Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Steff Evans (Charlie Titcombe, 72’); Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies (Archie Hughes, 66’); Kemsley Mathias (Alec Hepburn, 51’), Marnus van der Merwe (Ryan Elias, 55’), Archer Holz (Sam Wainwright, 13’); Max Douglas, Sam Lousi; Taine Plumtree (Alex Craig, 52’) , Dan Davis (Jarrod Taylor, 61’), Vaea Fifita.
Tries: Macs Page
Conversions: Ioan Lloyd 0/1
Penalties: Ioan Lloyd 1/2
Yellow Card: Joe Roberts (10’)
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)