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Munster 19 Scarlets 13

Munster 19 Scarlets 13

MUNSTER 19 SCARLETS 13

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The Scarlets’ chances of retaining their Celtic League title were hanging by a thread last night after their third loss in the first five games of the season. The Ospreys are flying high and Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins’ side chances of catching them were hit further when in-form centre Matthew Watkins joined a lengthy injury list with a leg problem last night.

The fact he had to be replaced by a scrum-half – albeit a very good one in Dwayne Peel – speaks volumes for the Scarlets’ current predicament. Munster coach Alan Gaffney made nine changes as he sought his first win of the season, with Test halves Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer expected to kick-start the province’s Celtic League campaign, but it was the home side’s lineout that caused the Scarlets the most problems.

O’Gara had the chance to open the scoring in the 16th minute after some good work from hooker Frankie Sheahan, but the usually deadly goal-kicker’s 35-metre attempt drifted wide, and Munster were denied again seconds later when Scarlets No 8 Andy Powell stopped fullback Christian Cullen a metre from the try-line.

The Scarlets were further hit in the 18th minute when Watkins left the field with a leg problem, and their injury woes among the three-quarters were highlighted when he had to be replaced by Test scrum-half Peel, with Mike Phillips moving to the wing and Tal Selley taking Watkins’ place in the centres.

The scoreboard attendants were finally woken from their slumber in the 26th minute as the power of the Munster pack produced dividends. Starting from a lineout 30 metres from the Scarlets’ line, the home forwards drove relentless towards five points, and although original ball-carrier Sheahan looked to have left and then illegally rejoined the driving maul, referee Malcolm Changleng had no hesitation in raising his arm when backrower Alan Quinlan grounded the ball with the help of seven mates.

Things began looking desperate for the visitors when veteran prop John Davies was yellow-carded for persistent infringements at scrum-time, but Simon Easterby’s men decided attack was the best form of defence and bravely pressed for an equaliser. It didn’t come, but fly-half Gareth Bowen managed to narrow the gap with a beautifully struck penalty goal, but missed a second attempt as his side went into the halftime break at 3-5 down.

Recalled Wales centre Mark Taylor opened the second half with a strong break, but his good work was undone as Davies was again called out for a lecture from referee Changleng. Moments later, Powell was lucky to avoid a minimum of a yellow card when he nearly decapitated lock Paul O’Connell with a high tackle in the midfield.

The tackle infuriated the Munster players and they powered on to the attack. Winger Anthony Horgan showed strength to go close and he slipped the ball to Cullen for the easiest of scores. A Cullen break gave backrower Denis Leamy an equally simple try in the 66th minute, and Munster began hunting a bonus point for four tries.

To their credit, the Scarlets refused to lie down and a Tal Selley burst gave fullback Garan Evans the space to dive over in the corner to narrow the margin to 19-8 with 10 minutes left on the clock. The Scarlets made things interesting with a try to makeshift winger Phillips in the 81st minute after a fine blindside break, and although they ran out of time to close the gap, the well-taken five-pointer gave them a bonus point for finishing within seven points of the winners.

Munster: Tries – A Quinlan, C Cullen, D Leamy; Cons – R O’Gara 2

Scarlets: Tries – G Evans, M Phillips; Pen – G Bowen. Halftime: Munster 5-3

Munster: C Cullen; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson (J Storey 56), A Horgan; R O’Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell (T Hogan 80), A Quinlan (D Wallace 62), D Leamy, A Foley

Unused replacements: G McIlwham, J Flannery, M Prendergast, P Burke

Scarlets: G Evans; A Havili, M Watkins (D Peel 18), M Taylor, T Selley; G Bowen (A Thomas 64), M Phillips; I Thomas, M Rees, J Davies (P John 66), V Cooper, A Jones (C Wyatt 50), S Easterby (capt), G Thomas, A Powell (P John 32-40)

Unused replacements: C Hawkins, J Mills, R Jones

Yellow card: J Davies (Scarlets)

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)

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