MAGNERS LEAGUE Munster 27 Scarlets 26:BARRY MURPHY crowned his comeback from injury with a try last night as Munster backed up their midweek win against Australia with a hard-fought victory over the Scarlets in Cork. Sam Tuitupou and Paul Warwick also scored but it was Murphy's try which drew the largest cheer from the home crowd.
Llanelli captain Jonathan Edwards scored two tries for the visitors whilst Rhys Priestland amassed 16 points of the tee, but it was not enough to stop them falling to a 10th straight defeat against Tony McGahan’s men.
Morgan Stoddart did cause some alarm when he broke out of defence in the last play of the game but Scott Deasy did just enough to stop him in his tracks.
Munster had to readjust their starting XV shortly before kick-off when Damien Varley (shoulder), Alan Quinlan (hamstring) and Johne Murphy were all forced out due to injury. In all, they started with 12 of the 15 who lined out against the Wallabies.
Mike Sherry – Varley’s replacement – was probably Munster’s best forward on the day. His accuracy in the lineout was matched by his carrying in the loose, and in the event of a short-term hooking crisis he did his chances of Ireland selection no harm. Ian Nagle was also impressive.
The Scarlets had the better of the opening exchanges, with Priestland pushing two straightforward penalties well wide. Priestland did eventually open the scoring with a penalty on 17 minutes which was cancelled out immediately after by Warwick.
The pair then traded penalties again to leave the scoreline 6-6 after half an hour played.
At times the first half was grindingly mediocre but Coughlan eventually provided the spark which ignited game. A turn of pace in midfield saw him race clear of the home defence and when the ball recycled he was on hand to put Warwick under the posts.
Warwick converted and Munster seemed to be looking good as half-time approached but Priestland caught them napping in midfield and his break enabled Edwards to crash home during first-half injury-time. Priestland converted to leave the scores tied 13-13 at the interval.
Munster started the second half slowly and were reduced to 14 men when Peter O’Mahony was binned for pulling down the maul, with Priestland nudging the Scarlets back ahead with the resulting penalty. But their lead was short-lived and Tuitupou touched down for Munster’s second try with a trademark burst from midfield.
Warwick converted before Murphy put daylight between the sides with his try, taking the ball back on the angle in a crowded midfield to touch down form 40 metres. Warwick once more converted to leave Munster ahead 27-16 but a lack of concentration allowed Edwards in for his second try on 60 minutes.
Priestland converted and then added another penalty to leave the Scarlets trailing by just a point as the game entered the last 10 minutes but Munster held on for a deserved victory.
MUNSTER: S Deasy (T Gleeson 78); D Howlett, B Murphy, S Tuitupou, D Hurley; P Warwick, D Williams (C Murray 22); W du Preez (D Ryan 70), M Sherry (S Henry 78), P Borlase (S Archer 78) ; B Holland, I Nagle; P O'Mahony (T ODonnell 60), N Ronan, J Coughlan.
SCARLETS: D Evans; M Stoddart, G Maule, R King, L Williams (N Reynolds 17); R Priestland (D Newton 79), M Roberts (T Knoyle 64); I Thomas, K Owens (E Phillips 64), P Edwards (P John 54); L Reed, D Day (D Welch 64); A Shingler (J Faamatuainu 54), J Edwards, B Morgan.
Referee: James Jones(WRFU).
