Munster snatch victory from the Scarlets
A try at the death from Denis Hurley, his second of the night, helped Munster to come from behind to record a dramatic 22-20 victory over the Scarlets at the Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night.
The only Magners League fixture played on the night, following four Friday night fixtures, the two teams battled it our for 80 minutes, only for it to be decided in the final two minutes of the match.
Just ten minutes into the game the defending Magners League champions were down to 14 men with Ireland back row Denis Leamy sent to the sin bin.
His absence only cost his side three points on the scoreboard but it certainly wasn’t how Munster would have liked to start the match.
Back to their full compliment of players, Mick O'Driscoll's men got on the board with a Jeremy Manning penalty before, with 24 minutes gone, Denis Hurley scored the opening try of the night for the Irish powerhouse.
A second yellow card for the visitors on the half hour mark gave the Scarlets all the advantage they needed to score their first try of the night – prop forward Deacon Manu powering his way over from close range.
The two teams headed into the interval with the score locked at 10-all but with the home side carrying the momentum.
Continuing to fire after the break, Nigel Davies' troops were the first to strike after half time. Captain Mark Jones went over and, with Rhys Priestland's conversion, gave his side an early seven point second half lead.
Munster scrumhalf Toby Morland drew his team back to within two points of the hosts on 53 minutes which his try but the unsuccessful conversion meant the Scarlets still had the initiative.
Looking to snatch the win Munster boss Tony McGahan introduced Ireland scrumhalf Tomas O’Leary from the bench – it was the unfortunate Lions first appearance of the new season.
Both kickers, Priestland and Manning, missed penalty attempts just after the hour mark but, with seven minutes left, Daniel Evans extended his teams lead to five with his successful penalty.
Despite leading for all of the second half, the Scarlets would just not be able to hold on for a great victory. With two minutes left on the clock, Hurley went over for his second try, levelling the scores and handing Manning the chance to win the game at the death.
The New Zealander duly delivered, slotting over the extra two points and handing his side a 22-20 win at the Parc y Scarlets.
The Scorers
For Scarlets
Tries: Manu, M Jones
Pen: Priestland, Evans
Con: Priestland 2
For Munster
Tries: Hurley 2, Morland
Pen: Manning
Con: Manning 2
Yellow Cards: Denis Leamy (Munster - 10 min), Donnacha Ryan (Munster - 32 min)
Teams:
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Mark Jones (captain), 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons, 7 Dafydd Jones, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Ken Owens 1 Iestyn Thomas
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Richie Pugh, 21 Lee Williams, 22 Dan Newton.
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Barry Murphy, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Jeremy Manning, 9 Toby Morlund, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Donncha Ryan, 4 Mick O'Driscoll (captain), 3 John Hayes, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Julien Brugnaut
Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 Tony Buckland, 18 Billy Holland, 19 Tommy O'Donnell, 20 Tomas O'Leary, 21 S Deasy, 22 Tom Gleeson
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)