Scarlets claim historic win in Cork against Munster
The score was close all game but a try from winger Andy Fenby try ten minutes from time gave the Welsh their first ever win at Musgrave Park.
The Scarlets were leading 6-3 at this point and Munster had the scrum feed but when they tried to go wide the ball dropped on the floor.
A Welsh defender kicked the ball through for Fenby to chase and when full-back Felix Jones, who had a brilliant game with ball in hand despite the weather, struggled to control the ball, Fenby dived to score the winning try.
Put under huge pressure in the first half, the Scarlets did more than hold their ground with a dominant scrum led by tighthead Jacobie Adriaanse and ferocious defence to stay in the game.
And when the weather conditions went from bad to worse with the wind blowing in their favour, they used it well to build pressure and eventually secure the win which keeps them just behind Ulster at the top of the Pro12 table.
Munster enjoyed most of the ball possession and territory in the first half but were kept at bay by the Scarlets’ defensive line.
It seemed the opposition wouldn’t hold for much longer in the second half but, against the rain and the wind, they had no chance in the second half.
Ian Keatley and Aled Thomas kicked a penalty each to see the score level at the break.
Despite having the wind in their back and dominating the battle up front, the slippery conditions prevented the Scarlets from scoring until the last 15 minutes of the game.
Thomas added a penalty to put the Welsh side in front and two minutes later Fenby sealed the win with his try.
Munster didn’t stop there though and a last-gasp effort earned them a penalty 22 metres from the Welsh posts.
Replacement centre JJ Hanrahan stepped up and secure the losing bonus-point for the home side.
For Munster
Penalties: Keatley, Hanrahan
For Scarlets
Tries: Fenby
Conversions: A. Thomas
Penalties: A. Thomas 2
Munster: Jones; Howlett (capt.), Laulala, Downey, O’Dea; Keatley, Williams; Du Preez, Sherry, Archer; Nagle, Holland; O’Callaghan, Ronan, Butler.
Replacements: Varley, Horan, Botha, Foley, Stander, Stringer, Hanrahan, Hurley.
Scarlets: Stoddart; Reynolds, Maule, Owen, Fenby; A. Thomas, Davies; John, Phillips, Adriaanse; Ball, Kelly; Earle, Edwards (capt.), Price.
Replacements: Myhill, Hopkins, Lee, Snyman, D. Thomas, Williams, Newton, Warren.
Star man: Jacobie Adriaanse – Scarlets
NICK VERDIER
You can relive all the action here.
