Glasgow Warriors 51-24 Munster
MUNSTER’S HOPES OF reaching the Pro12 play-off spots are up in smoke after Glasgow Warriors punished a their one-dimensional rugby at Scotstoun tonight.
Rob Penney’s men entered the game knowing that only a win would do to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive. A 44-17 throttling has left them in poor shape ahead of their Heineken Cup quarter final next weekend.
An early Sean Maitland try was a portent of troubling times to come but the visitors fought back to lead 14-7 after 26 minutes.
Munster got off to a dreadful start when Maitland, who impressed on Scotland duty in the Six Nations, raced over to dot down for the Glasgow Warriors after less than a minute. The try came courtesy of an interception from a poor, looping Casey Laulala pass.
Munster, featuring Paul O’Connell in their line-up, regrouped and battled upfield. They camped on the Scots’ line before drawing players in and allowing Laulala to power over from close range.
Ronan O’Gara’s conversion made in 7-7 and the visitors were not yet done.
Killer crosses over
Further pressure from the Munster pack – a tactic they will employ against Harlequins next week – led to a rumbling try from prop Dave Kilcoyne.
O’Gara added the extras again and the visitors pressed in hope of adding to their 14-7 lead but disaster was to strike.
A stray pass from Duncan Williams was picked off by scrum-half Nik Matawalu, who raced clear to score. Ruairidh Jackson slotted over the conversion and added a penalty.
There was time on the clock for Jackson to stretch the lead further and, at half-time, Munster must have wondered how they were losing this must-win league clash.
False dawn
Ronan O’Gara slotted the first points of the second-half, a penalty, but the floodgates were about to open.
Jackson was the next Scotsman to breach the shaky Munster defensive line and made it 27-17 after 57 minutes.
The outhalf added a penalty as Munster’s will sapped. Replacement back Mark Bennett added his name to the try-scorers list before fullback Stuart Hogg inked his name down for a five-pointer.
Doug Howlett responded with a consolation try as he finished off a dashing Felix Jones break but further misery came in injury time when flanker John Barclay raced clear to dot down.
You can watch the match highlights here:
YouTube credit: RaboDirectPRO12
