Munster 35 Scarlets 12:MUNSTER EASED their way to the top of the PRO12 with another workmanlike victory over Scarlets. They are the only side yet to concede a try in this season's league, while their haul of eight tries is unsurpassed.
Tony McGahan was happy with Saturday’s win although the Aussie admitted to getting a bit of a ribbing about the outcome from New Zealand earlier that day.
“It’s a good way to finish a day that didn’t start too good,” said McGahan, who was pleased with his side’s discipline as they enjoyed a penalty count of 16-8 and kept 15 on the pitch throughout having suffered five yellow cards in their previous two games.
“Considering the conditions and the way we played in the first half to come away with a bonus point was a tremendous effort,” he said.
Munster were well worth their 20-9 interval lead, with Peter Stringer and Peter O’Mahony putting Doug Howlett away for the opening try after 14 minutes, while the superb Munster pack got a penalty try nine minutes from the break after a five-metre scrum was reset five times.
Munster’s dominance continued up front even when they replaced five of the pack, including the frontrow, which saw a competitive debut for BJ Botha after the Springbok’s transfer from Ulster.
Dan Newton kicked penalties either side of the break for Scarlets to reduce the deficit to 20-12 but with Ian Keatley dictating matters behind the scrum, Munster’s patience was rewarded with Mike Sherry sending Duncan Williams through for their third try after looping off a lineout after 65 minutes, before Tommy O’Donnell secured the bonus point in the right corner six minutes from time.
MUNSTER: J Murphy; D Howlett, T Gleeson, L Mafi, D Hurley; I Keatley, P Stringer; M Horan, M Sherry, J Hayes; D Foley, M O’Driscoll; P O’Mahony, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: B Holland for Foley (45 mins), W du Preez for Horan (51 mins), BJ Botha for Hayes (55 mins), D Williams for Stringer (56 mins), T O’Donnell for Ronan (65 mins), D Fogarty for Sherry, S Deasy for Mafi (both 66 mins), S Zebo for Howlett (72 mins).
SCARLETS: D Ford; L Williams, R Gomer Davies, G Maule, A Fenby; D Newton, R Tipuna; I Thomas, K Myhill, R Thomas; L Reed, D Day; R McCusker, J Turnbull, B Morgan. Replacements: E Phillips for Myhill, (45 mins), A Shingler for Day (57 mins), J Edwards for Turnbull, G Davies for Tipuna, both 62 mins), P John for I Thomas, R Jones for R Thomas (both 65 mins), L Rees for Fenby (71 mins).
Referee: A Macpherson (SRU).
