Munster Rugby secured a bonus point win in a thriller against Ulster Rugby at Thomond Park on Friday evening.
Munster Rugby started their round 17 campaign off with a period of attacking play, but gave away a penalty at the halfway line. The visitors kicked to the corner, allowing centre McCloskey the score, Murphy converted, giving Ulster the perfect start after just seven minutes.
Mike Milne got Munster’s first points on the board. The hosts battled through the Ulster defence for the prop to score his first try for the province. The conversion went just wide, 05-07.
A high tackle from Scott Wilson on Gavin Coombes went to the TMO, and the Ulstermen went to fourteen men. Even with a player in the sin bin, Munster was unable to capitalise. Ulster won a penalty and opted for the posts; they added three more to their tally, leaving the score 5-10.
A true team try came with Farrell getting Munster's second. The ball was spun wide from Thaakir Abrahams to O’Mahony, the flanker making a superb step inside before passing on the ball to Farrell, who dotted down. Crowley missed the conversion, which brought the score square, 10-10.
Ulster struck back almost immediately after Farrell’s try with outside centre Jude Postlethwaite sailing over in the corner, Murphy converted.
A third try in six minutes came from Tadhg Beirne, who had blocked a kick when Ulster tried to clear the ball. He reacted straightaway, collecting the ball and scoring Munster’s fourth. Jack Crowley slotted the conversion, 17-17.
Just before the half time whistle hooker Scannell got down for Munster’s fourth and bonus point try from a driving maul. Crowley split the uprights, Munster leading for the first time in the game, 24-17. Ulster secured another three points with the clock in the red, the hosts led at the break.
Munster started the second half in possession, where Beirne won a huge turnover penalty. Crowley kicked to the corner, the crowd roaring behind them. A pick and go was eventually split forward, returning possession to the visitors deep in their 22.
A superb passage of play from an initial turnover by Coombes in midfield put Munster back on the attacking foot. A yellow card was given to McCloskey for cynical play at the breakdown, and Crowley kicked to the corner. From there, Tom Farrell found the space under the posts for his second try of the match. Crowley converted, 31-20.
A cross-field kick from Jack Crowley out onto the wing was scooped up by Peter O’Mahony in the air before the Cork man got down for Munster’s try number six just before the 60-minute mark, 38-20, which was also the final score.
Scorers:
Munster Rugby: Tries: Michael Milne, Tom Farrell (2), Tadhg Beirne, Niall Scannell, Peter O’Mahony. Conversions: Jack Crowley (4).
Ulster Rugby: Tries: Stuart McCloskey, Jude Postlethwaite. Conversions: Jack Murphy (2). Penalties: Jack Murphy (2).
Teams
Munster Rugby: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Michael Milne. Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Tom Ahern, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Seán O’Brien, 23 Alex Kendellen.
Ulster Rugby: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 Jude Postlethwaite, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jack Stockdale, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 James McNabney, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Matty Rea, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick. Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Alan O’Connor, 20 David McCann, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Stewart Moore, 23 Werner Kok.