CUP MATCH: Munster A 18 Nottingham 3MUNSTER A remain unbeaten in the British and Irish Cup after they enjoyed an 18-3 win against Nottingham in Waterford last night. Munster never looked troubled as they eked out a victory which leaves them on top of Pool B in the inaugural running of this competition.
Munster enjoyed the better of a very competitive first-half and went into the break leading by 12 points to three with all the points coming from the boot of outhalf, Declan Cusack.
Munster put the pressure on the visitors straight from the kick-off and an early foray into Nottingham territory led to a penalty after the visiting prop, Ben Buxton got carried away at a ruck. Cusack made no mistake with the penalty.
Nottingham managed to get upfield and enjoyed a period of pressure but failed to make it pay on the scoreboard.
An excellent break by Danny Riordan and a subsequent one from Peter OMahony allowed Munster to exert more pressure on the Nottingham defence and Nottingham were forced to cough up another penalty which was converted by Cusack.
Discipline was a problem for the visitors and they were repeatedly blown up for indiscretions at the break-down. In the 25th minute, a Cusack penalty extended the home side’s lead to nine points
This lead was extended when Munster were awarded a penalty near half-way. Referee Dave Jones moved the ball forward for dissent and Cusack slotted over once again.
A rare raid by Nottingham into Munster territory led to a penalty which was converted by outhalf, Dave Marshall. At half-time Munster held a firm advantage, leading by 12 points to three.
The play deteriorated in the second half as the game was interrupted by several substitutions and also by breaches of discipline from both sides.
Before the game finished, two Munster players, Stephen Archer and captain, Peter O’Mahony spent time in the sin-bin as did Nottingham flanker, Matt Everard.
MUNSTER: D Riordan (UL Bohs); C OBoyle (Garryowen), D Barnes (Dolphin), E Moloney (Dolphin), S Scanlon (UCC); D Cusack (Thomond), C Murray (Garryowen); D Kilcoyne (UL Bohs), M Sherry (Garryowen), S Archer (Cork Con); I Nagle (Cork Con), D Foley (UL Bohs); E Kelly (UL Bohs), B OMahony (Dolphin), P O'Mahony (Cork Con, capt). Replacements: P Rowley for Conor Murray, N Melbourne for E Kelly, P ORegan for S Archer, A Burke for D Cusack, S Duggan for D Foley, G Slattery for D Kilcoyne
NOTTINGHAM: A Savage; J Cobden, T Streather, G Tonks, D Blake; D Marshall, D White; P Cook, G Sammons, B Buxton; I Nimmo, N Carter; J Baird, M Everard, D Hemingway. Subs: N Fowkes for P Cook, T Youngs for G Sammons, N Rouse for G Tonks, W Nelson for T Streather, P Du Plessis for B Buxton, J Barnard for I Nimmo.
Referee: Dave Jones (Wales)
