It wasn't pretty, but then there has to be nights like that. Munster's sheer determination, willpower and attitude allowed them to stagger over the finishing line in last night's Heineken European Cup tie at a sodden Brewery Field.
They outscored the home side by two tries to none but couldn't break Bridgend's bloody-minded resistance. Munster will reflect on an unusually high error count and an inability to control the game for any sustained period - but not until Monday. Tonight, they will savour the victory and two superb tries.
The team worked hard as a unit, but one must single out the performances of John Kelly, Mick O'Driscoll and his second-half replacement, Paul O'Connell. Jim Williams, David Wallace and Anthony Foley got through an amount of work, while the centres and Jeremy Staunton enjoyed impressive outings.
It was something of a curate's egg from a Munster perspective in the opening 41 minutes. They scored two excellent tries, but were somewhat error-prone in several facets of the game. The ability to contest the restarts was negligible, as too often they misjudged the flight of the ball.
Also Bridgend exploited some confusion in the 10-12 channel between Ronan O'Gara and Jason Holland, and, on a couple of occasions, but for a forced pass, the home side's reward might have been points rather than just territorial gain. In general, though, Munster's defence coped without offering too many palpitations for coach Declan Kidney.
O'Gara kicked them into an early lead with a penalty on five minutes, and they increased this advantage four minutes later with a superb try. Anthony Foley latched on to a garryowen and drove to the Bridgend 10-metre line. The ball was moved wide and John Kelly glided through a gap before linking with Staunton.
The full back beat a couple of tacklers, and when the visitors secured quick ball from a second ruck, two long cut-out passes allowed Mike Mullins to squeeze in at the corner. O'Gara missed the touchline conversion: it was a frustrating 40 minutes for the outhalf from placed ball opportunities: he managed just one from four.
Bridgend's Craig Warlow reduced the deficit with an easy penalty after Munster had strayed offside at a ruck.
O'Driscoll was providing silver service from the lineout and this allowed the visitors the quick off-the-top ball they craved. Another passage of excellent interplay between backs and forwards saw Holland make a half-break, but lack of immediate support thwarted a great try-scoring opportunity.
Munster, though, were not to be denied. When Bridgend strayed offside from the ensuing ruck, O'Gara shaped to kick to the corner from six metres but instead pivoted and cross-kicked for the far corner: Kelly brilliantly caught the ball, and, already over the line, touched down. O'Gara could not convert and subsequently missed a penalty.
Bridgend profited from Munster indiscipline just before and 10 minutes after the interval with Warlow posting a brace of penalties. The home side were growing in confidence and their continuity, the ability to string phases together was improving. The physical toll of last week's Ireland-England game was evident in some tired Munster legs.
Of equal concern was Italian referee Antonio Lombardi's interpretation of offside as the official continually penalised the visitors after the interval. Warlow missed a very kickable penalty and O'Gara was inches wide with a snap drop goal. A wonderful break from Kelly carved open the Bridgend defence but full back Josh Taumalolo made a marvellous try-saving tackle in preventing the offload.
O'Gara's radar hadn't improved by the 65th minute when he missed another penalty chance, this time from 35 metres, and he was very fortunate when scragged, trying to run out of his 22: he threw the ball away and was rescued by his team-mates. Warlow's accuracy was little better as he missed from 28 metres.
Munster to their credit never shirked their defensive responsibilities and none epitomised this more than O'Connell, who had a storming second half.
O'Gara's resilience was demonstrated when he kicked a magnificent penalty from the halfway line on 75 minutes only for Warlow to respond in kind two minutes later to leave the visitors leading 16-12.
They might have struggled to find their rhythm but one couldn't but admire their character, determination and sheer guts that got them over the finishing line.
Match stats: Bridgend
SCORING SEQUENCE.
5th min: O'Gara penalty 0-3
9th min: Mullins try 0-8
16th min: Warlow penalty 3-8
19th min: Kelly try 3-13
41st min: Warlow penalty 6-13
Half-time: ... 6-13
50th min: Warlow penalty 9-13
75th min: O'Gara penalty 9-16
77th min: Warlow penalty 12-16
Full-time: ... 12-16
TEAM LINE-UPS
BRIDGEND: J Taumalolo; G Thomas, J Devereux, J Funnell, Daniel Jones; C Warlow, H Harries (capt); C Loader, G Williams, J Thiel; Deiniol Jones, C Stephens; N Budgett, R Bryan, J Ringer. Replacements: M Molitika for Deiniol Jones (69 mins), S Van Rensburg for Bryan (69 mins), C Noon for Thiel (72 mins), A Durston for Funnell (76 mins).
MUNSTER: J Staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), M O'Driscoll; J Williams, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: P O'Connell for O'Driscoll (49 mins), M Horan for Clohessy (57 mins).
Referee: A Lombardi (Italy).
