Scarlets rain on Munster parade

25^th November 2012

Munster                6

Scarlets                13

CJ Stander attempts to keep warm in Munsters defeat to the Scarlets in a rain drenched Musgrave Park 

Munster coach Rob Penney will have witnessed horrendous playing conditions like this in his home country of New Zealand on many an occasion but what he will hope is that he doesn’t see more regularly  error strewn performances like this from his new Munster charges.  

In a game which started in heavy underfoot conditions with a strong crossfield wind, the weather had disintegrated greatly by the start of the second half, and by the end the players were very grateful to see the sanctuary of the dressing rooms and in particular the hot showers. 

To their credit the visitors adapted better to the inclement conditions and after reaching the half time break on level terms after playing against the strong wind, it gave them the injection of self belief to go on and dominate Munster in the second half, particularly at scrum time, and claim their first victory in Musgrave Park in eight attempts.

Both sides were shorn of their international contingent but it was the home side who took the game to their opponents from the off.  However, for the majority of the first quarter their dominance was let down by a series of knock ons when in very promising positions.  Both fullback Felix Jones and winger Luke O’Dea were very prominent during this period and looked to counter attack at every opportunity.

Munster got the scoreboard moving in the 23^rd minute when the Scarlets were penalised for coming in from the side and outhalf Keatley converted to give them a deserved but hard earned 3-0 lead.  This score seemed to shake the men from Wales in to life, and after their first period of extended pressure in the Munster 22, the home side were penalised for not rolling away.  Outhalf Aled Thomas made no mistake from the resultant penalty and the sides were level at 3-3.

Munster continued to dictate the play but the more they tried the more the error count continued to add up with knock ons, lost lineouts and a creaking scrum adding to their frustration. 

The unlucky Niall Ronan had to be stretched off in the 35^th minute after the Scarlets Jake Bell was over zealous in his clearing out of the ruck and it is now inevitable that the lock forward will be hauled before the disciplinary authorities for the challenge.  South African new recruit CJ Stander came on to replace Ronan in the Munster backrow.

And Stander almost made a dream start when, after multiple phases by the home side, he barged his way for the tryline but after consulting the video referee, a verdict of no try was given and the sides retreated to the dressing rooms all square.

 As the second half commenced the weather had taken a significant turn for the worse with the rain now sheating down and Munster having to face in to a howling wind.  A change of game plan would be required in order to grind out the required result here.

The Scarlets almost got the perfect start to the half when an attempted clearance by Munster full back Jones was blocked down by flanker Jonathon Edwards, but luckily for the home side the bouncing ball slid beyond the endline.

They did not have to wait long for a further opportunity however when Munster’s Wian Du Preez was penalised at scrum time in the 43^rd minute.  However, outhalf Thomas’ subsequent penalty was pushed wide and Munster were let off the hook.  With the Scarlets now dominating procession, Thomas had an attempted drop goal in the 54^th minute which went left and wide also.

In what was becoming a real war of attrition you felt at this stage that a try for either side would surely close out the game.  And the home side were handed a great opportunity in the 63^rd minute when awarded a 5 metre scrum after another great break by Jones and a kick on by Keatley which had the away defence scrambling frantically.  However, once more, the Scarlets were let off the hook when Munster were penalised for an early engagement at the scrum.

And the away side added salt to the wounds in the 66^th minute when they turned the screw once more at scrum time and Thomas converted the subsequent penalty off the left upright to give the Scarlets a 6-3 advantage.

The game was up for the home side in the 70^th minute when from a scrum in the Llanelli half, the ball was spilled in midfield by O’Dea, the away side fly hacked through, and the unfortunate Jones fumbled the proverbial bar of soap on two occasions and the ever alert winger Andy Denby touched down.  It would be the games match winning score and the 6^th try of a very productive Pro 12 season for Fenby so far.  Davies converted with aplomb to extend the Scarlets lead to 13-3.

Munster were making very little headway at this stage against the elements and also against a pack which was well on top in the scrum.  The Scarlets had two further opportunities to extend their lead in the 75^th and 79^th minutes for infringements by the Munster scrum but Davies was unlucky with the first attempt which went wide off the right hand upright and the second attempt which dropped short.

Munster had one last opportunity themselves to salvage a losing bonus point from the game.  After a good drive in to the opposition 22, the Scarlets were penalised for a hand in the ruck, and substitute JJ Hanrahan stood up and slotted the penalty with the final kick of the game.   

In a game of few positives for the home side, Felix Jones got through another 80 minutes unscathed on his way back to full fitness and showed flashes of his counter attacking brilliance on a number of occasions.  It was unfortunate that his fumbles led to the defining score of the game.  CJ Stander also impressed on his debut and was never shy of some hard graft even in the very difficult playing conditions. Mike Sherry had a better night from lineout ball with Munster winning 10 out of 13 of their own throws but their scrum was to let them down with 6 penalties conceded in 10 of their own put ins. 

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby will be delighted with the effort of his charges particularly considering that they were missing 15 of their frontline players.  Outhalf Aled Davies, not withstanding his second half misses, was assured in his play, wing Andy Fenby continued his hot streak with his try and hooker Emyr Philips was very accurate in the lineout and also dominant in the scrum.

Scarlets remain in second place in the standings before their top of table clash with leaders Ulster next weekend.  For Munster, they have dropped out of the play off positions after being leap frogged by neighbours Leinster, but will have the chance to correct this in next weekend’s home game in Thomond Park with the Glasgow Warriors.

Man of the Match: Emyr Philips (Scarlets)

Teams and Scorers:

Munster: F. Jones, D. Howlett, C. Lualala, J. Downey, L. O’Dea, I. Keatley (1 pen), D. Williams, W. Du Preez, M. Sherry, S. Archer, I. Nagle, B. Holland, D. O’Callaghan, N. Ronan, P. Butler  Replacements: D. Varley, M. Horan, BJ. Botha, D. Foley, CJ Stander, P. Stringer, JJ Hanrahan (1 pen), D. Hurley

Scarlets: M. Stoddart, N. Reynolds, G. Maule, G. Owen, A. Fenby (1 try), A. Thomas (2 pens, 1 con), P. John, E. Philipps, J. Adriaanse, J. Bell, R. Kelly, G. Earle, J. Edwards, C. Price Replacements: K. Myhill, S. Hopkins, S. Lee, J. Snyman, D. Thomas, R. Williams, D. Newton, A. Warren