Advertisement
Gregor Townsend and David Humphreys share a joke in Belfast. ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Provincial

Pro12 wrap: Munster roar back as Ulster give the game away at the end

Meanwhile, Connacht were unable to add to their half-time tally and return from Cardiff with nothing.

MUNSTER PRODUCED A stunning turnaround in Italy to overcome an 18 – 9 half-time deficit to claim a bonus point 21- 43 win over Zebre.

Tries from Luciano Orquera and Andrea Manici had given given Zebre hope of a first ever Pro12 win as they led 18 – 9 at the break.

After the turnaround it was all Munster, however, and a double from CJ Stander was flanked by touchdowns from Paddy Butler and replacement Ian Keatley.

Hanrahan had kicked the visitors 6 – 0 ahead after a bright opening 15 minutes, but within seven minutes, they were behind.

Orquera first narrowed the gap from the boot before Munster were pinged for not releasing in the 22 and the out-half was able to quick-tap and sneak over before the red line reacted.

YouTube credit: RaboDirect Pro12

Hanrahan was soon able to restore the lead after Kameli Ratuvou was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. Orquera would rediscover his poise to restore the lead before Manici romped in past three would-be tacklers  for a second Italian try to give Munster a nine-point hurdle to over come in the second half.

As it turned out, the deficit was erased almost instantly; Hanrahan narrowing the gap before a beautiful flowing move from deep ended in Butler cruising over for a seven-point score.

YouTube credit: RaboDirect Pro12

Stander (his second try above) crossed the whitewash twice to put the game beyond Zebre and Ian Keatley was sprung from the bench in time to claim the crucial fourth try.

A sense of relief mixed with another satisfying evening in the Pro12 for Rob Penney and his side.

YouTube credit: RaboDirect Pro12

In Cardiff, Connacht were unable to turn a slender half-time lead into a victory over the Blues.

Matt Healy once again justified his selection on the wing opposite Alex Cuthbert, as he gobbled up a superb offload from Kieran Marmion to run in under the posts to open up a 0 – 7 lead after 11 minutes.

Then, Rhys Patchell set about slowly reeling the western province in.  His two penalties and a drop goal looked set to send the hosts in with a 9 – 7 half time lead before Dan Parks nudged the visitors back in front.

The second half scores all belonged to Patchell. The young kicker ending the night with six successes from nine attempts, plus his drop-goal, to give the Blues their opening win of the season and the 21 – 10 scoreline sent Pat Lam home empty handed.

Missed chances

On paper, the undoubted game of the night was in Ravenhill, but Ulster failed to fire and slumped to their second defeat in two games with this 12 -13 reverse against Glasgow Warriors.

Mark Anscombe’s men will go away lamenting a number of missed try-scoring chances in the second half with knock-ons denying them any further scores than their 12 – 6 half-time lead.

image©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

With Moray Low sin-binned for the final minutes, Ulster should have comfortably delivered four points. Instead, the 14-men prevailed, DTH van der Merwe breaking in the 78th minute and setting up a grandstand finish in front of a disbelieving Ravenhill.

James Eddie found the hole in the defence at the most crucial time and Stuart Hogg added the extras to his earlier two penalties to overhaul Paddy Jackson’s four successful kicks.

Jean-Pierre Lux asks ERC stakeholders to ‘cease public ultimatums’

Preview: All Blacks braced for tough Springbok Test

Your Voice
Readers Comments
33
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.