Rugby - Celtic League/ Borders 0 Munster 36:Munster marched on to their seventh win this season with a forward-inspired victory by five tries to nil over a lightweight Borders side in last night's Celtic League match at Netherdale.
In the end this was almost too easy a win for Munster whose forwards ripped the soul out of their Scottish opponents with lineout domination, sheer power close to the line and secure and solid scrummaging.
As a result the Munster backs enjoyed a shoal of possession and numerous opportunities to move the ball wide allowing Eoghan Hickey in particular to impress at outhalf.
But the victory should perhaps be put in perspective. Borders, the poor relation of the league in terms of funding, simply do not have the back-up players to cope with the absence of their international contingent.
Moreover, Borders, already missing three locks through injury, were further weakened by the late withdrawal of Samoan Opeta Palepoi, forcing the Scottish side to bring in a young apprentice.
But, that said, credit has to go to Munster for the way they took their tries and the way in which they exerted non-stop pressure on the Borders.
Early on Borders full back Callum MacRae was short with his kick at goal, but at the other end Jeremy Manning made no mistake with his penalty attempt to put Munster ahead 3-0.
Borders hit back and should have made more of a good attacking position close to the Munster line but two lost lineouts killed any hopes of points.
Munster took advantage with a try by winger Shaun Payne from a clever kick ahead by Christian Cullen.
Just before the break pressure from close-range driving ended with hooker Frankie Sheahan forcing his way over for the try, converted by Manning.
Ten minutes into the second half Munster stretched their lead with a try by flanker Alan Quinlan from a deflected kick out of defence that bounced cruelly for the Borders. Replacement Hickey made it a seven pointer with his successful conversion.
Munster, clearly enjoying their superiority, appeared at times to be in a training game, such was their domination of possession. Borders' defence eventually had to break as flanker Tim McGann scrambled over from close range, Hickey again converting.
The one-way scoring continued as Hickey produced a perfect pass to give Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery a try and Hickey his third conversion.
BORDERS: C MacRae; S Moffat, B MacDougall, N De Luca, S Danielli; S Jones, R Chrystie; R Grant, S Scott, E Kalman, R Vernon, J Dalziel, S Newlands, A Miller, S Gray. Replacements: R Ford, B Douglas, B McNeill, S Forrest, B McKerchar, G Townsend, G Law.
MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, B Murphy, M Lifeimi, I Dowling; J Manning, T O'Leary; D Hurley, F Sheahan, F Pucciariello, M O'Driscoll, C Wyatt, A Quinlan, T McGann, J Coughlan. Replacements: T Buckley, J Flannery, D Ryan, M Melbourne, B O'Meara, E Hickey, M Lawlor.
Referee: J Jones(Wales).
