Sport

Munster rule the roost

Munsster - 37 Glasgow - 12 Glasgow's Celtic League revival hit the buffers last night as they were outpowered and outpaced by…

Sat Mar 27 2004 - 00:00

Munsster - 37 Glasgow - 12 Glasgow's Celtic League revival hit the buffers last night as they were outpowered and outpaced by the visitors at Hughenden.

Munster ruled the roost in every department - though they did need a helping hand from inconsistent Welsh referee David Davies to stamp their authority and claim the bonus point.

Munster were seeking revenge for their Celtic Cup defeat at the same venue earlier in the season but their preparations had been hit by an injury to former All Blacks full-back Christian Cullen.

While his back strain was not rated as serious by coach Alan Gaffney, he was keen to save him for the big one - the European Cup quarter-final against Stade Francais at Thomond Park in a fortnight's time.

READ MORE

Munster broke the deadlock in the fifth minute with a well-struck Mossie Lawlor penalty when Glasgow sneaked offside 35 metres out. They then stunned the home fans with two tries that were dubious to say the least.

First, referee David Davies ignored home pleas for a knock-on and allowed winger John Kelly to get the vital touch to a clever cross-kick by Jason Holland. Then they took full advantage of the official failing to spot a blatant offside in midfield. Alan Bulloch was robbed on the Munster 22-line and Martin McPhail cruised in for the breakaway score.

Munster kept up the momentum after the restart and cruised to an emphatic victory, adding tries from Rob Henderson, Lawlor and Barry Murphy.

GLASGOW: G Metcalfe (capt); R Kerr, G Morrison, A Bulloch, S Lamont; C Howarth, S Pinder; A Kelly, S Gunn, E Murray, J Beardshaw, N Ross, A Wilson, D Macfadyen, R McKay. Replacements: S Lawson for Gunn (33 mins); A Hall for Ross (48); M Sitch for Beardshaw (65); G Beveridge for Pinder (40); S Moffat for Howarth (30).

MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, M Lawlor, R Henderson, M McPhail; J Holland, E Reddan; F Roche, J Flannery, G McIlwham, T Hogan, D Pusey, E Halvey, C McMahon, J Williams (capt). Replacements: B Murphy for McPhail (54 mins); S Keogh for McMahon (62); M Cahill for Roche (40).

Referee: D Davies (WRU).