Munster comeback falls short after cracking URC clash in Glasgow
Munster's Sean Edogbo and Glasgow Warriors' Kerr Yule in action on Friday night. Picture: INPHO/Paul Currie
Munster could only muster a four-try bonus point from their visit to Scotstoun Stadium, as an error-strewn first half ensured they were never in with a shout of victory against Glasgow on Friday night.
Munster started with intent and were unfortunate not to register an early score when Brian Gleeson was whistled for a double movement when scoring in the fifth minute.
Glasgow went the length of the field within a minute, and despite Ruadhán Quinn making an initial try-saving tackle, the Scottish side ran it left and winger Ollie Smith brilliantly scored in the corner.
Only a minute later Glasgow outhalf Dan Lancaster picked off a looping pass from his opposite number Tony Butler to run in the simplest of tries, and Glasgow enjoyed a 14-0 lead after seven minutes despite barely having the ball.
Glasgow were in control, but captain Stafford McDowall threw a loose pass towards his left wing that was picked off by Ethan Coughlan and the scrum half ran it in for his own interception in the 11th minute.
McDowall then kicked a quality 50-22, with a number of penalties following from that field position, and the move finished with lock Jare Oguntibeju diving over the ruck to score in the 32nd minute.
Tony Butler missed a kick to touch from a penalty. In the 38th minute, Thaakir Abrahams was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock on. Glasgow sniffed blood and they created acres of space for full back Josh McKay to saunter in for the bonus point try, to ensure Glasgow had a huge 28-5 lead at half time.
Glasgow looked likely to get the next score only for Dan Kelly to score a try of the season contender when he received the ball on his own 22, found a gap in the Glasgow line and then dropped the shoulder and had the pace to get home in the right corner in the 52nd minute.
Brian Gleeson then pounced on a botched Glasgow lineout to run in another try for Munster on the hour mark to give them something to play for, and six minutes later debutant Tom Wood and Abrahams combined to put Kilgallen over for a bonus point try, and Wood brilliantly converted to get Munster within six.
Glasgow took the pragmatic approach as Lancaster slotted a penalty from under the posts to stretch the gap out to nine in the 73rd minute to make sure there was no way back for Munster.
D Lancaster (1 pen, 1 try, 4 cons), O Smith, J Oguntibeju, J McKay (1 try each).
T Wood (1 con), E Coughlan, D Kelly, B Gleeson, D Kilgallen (1 try each).
J McKay; K Rowe, S McDowall (capt), K Yule, O Smith; D Lancaster, B Afshar; J Bhatti, S Stephen, M Walker; A Craig, J Oguntibeju; E Ferrie, A Fraser, A Miller.
N McBeth, S Talakai and S Vailanu for J Bhatti, M Walker and A Fraser (48), M Duncan for J Oguntibeju (63), J Oliver, D Cockburn, J Oliver and M Urwin for A Craig, B Afshar and K Yule (76).
M Haley; T Abrahams, S Daly, D Kelly, D Kilgallen; T Butler, E Coughlan; M Donnelly, D Barron (capt), O Jager; E O'Connell, F Wycherley; S Edogbo, R Quinn, B Gleeson.
M Ala’alatoa for O Jager (16), G Coombes, J O'Donoghue, P Patterson, T Wood for F Wycherley, R Quinn, E Coughlan, T Butler (46), L Barron for D Barron (52), F Wycherley for G Coombes (55), J Ryan for M Donnelly (67), S O’Brien for D Kilgallen (75).
Craig Evans (WRU)
App?
