Bath proved much too slick for Munster at Thomond Park last evening and were far more convincing winners than the 28-20 scoreline would indicate. Indeed, only two late tries, one which was converted, saved Munster from an even more humiliating scoreline.
The home side did lead early on with a try by Dominic Crotty but after that it was really one-way traffic. Bath had splendid tries from Tom Voyce, the outstanding Dan Lyle, Rob Thirlby and Sam Cox and all four were converted by Ollie Barclay. Keane kicked a second-half penalty and also converted one of two late tries by Paul O'Connell and Mick Galway.
Meanwhile, the Leinster Schools tour to Argentina offered up its second success in two outings with a fine 31-7 win over Tucuman under-18s. Wing Breffni O'Donnell opened the Leinster scoring with a try. Connolly was again at hand to convert Simon Crawford's try a minute later with centre Ken Kennedy bursting over the Tucuman line for the third try of the match. Six minutes into the second half, full back Gareth Hayes added Leinster's fourth try.
Munster: T Crotty; J O'Neill, J Holland, M Mullins, A Horgsan; K Keane, M Prendergast; M Horgan, J Blaney, J Hayes, P O'Connell, M Galwey, P Malone, J Fogarty, A Foley. Replacements: D O'Callaghan for Malone; C Mahony for Kelly; B Wallace for Fogarty.
Bath: T Voyce; R Thirlby, K Maggs, A Crockett, S Danielli; O Barclay, G Cooper; S Emms, A Long, J Mallett, M Gabey, S Borthwick, G Thomas, N. Thomas. D Lyle. Replacements: S Cox for Crockett; J Elabb for G Thomas; J Scalesbrook for Lyle.
Referee: A Rolland (Leinster)
Leinster schools: G Hayes; C Connolly, K Kennedy, R Jenkinson, B O'Donnell; C Sharpe, D Geraghty; J Moran, C Geoghegan, M Whelan, D Gannon, S Crawford, S Abbott, D Dunlop (capt.), J Heaslip. Replacements: J Barretto for Whelan 35 mins; J Quigley for Jenkinson 54 mins; P McKillen for Crawford 56 mins, G Noonan for Heaslip 66 mins; D Connellan for Geraghty 69 mins.
