Munster leave it late before easing past Connacht in Guinness PRO12
Last Updated: 30/03/15 10:01am
Munster scored five tries in the final 25 minutes of their 42-20 Guinness PRO12 victory over Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday.
The win puts them a step closer to securing a play-off spot with just four rounds of competition remaining.
A less than clinical first half ended 7-3 in the home side's favour after Billy Holland scored from close range in response to Jack Carty's penalty in the second minute.
It was a close end to what had been a scrappy half for both teams as some international stars returned to the domestic fold.
A second-half Carty penalty made it a one-point game before Munster clicked into formidable form as the third quarter drew to an end, with tries for Duncan Casey, Simon Zebo and Andrew Smith, while captain Denis Hurley and Ireland's Keith Earls also managed scores as the game drew to a close.
The ruthless end to the game robbed Connacht of a bonus point after they had added tries from replacements Miah Nikora and Shane O'Leary to edge their way into the game with 10 minutes remaining.
Connacht have struggled with injuries in recent times, and on Saturday Craig Ronaldson was removed from the line-up after illness struck, with 22-year-old Conor Finn coming in at centre for his first PRO12 start.
The visitors appeared to have dealt with the loss of Ronaldson, though, as they fought to stay in the game in the latter stages. A try from Miah Nikora in the 70th minute, which he converted, made it an eight-point game as they got to within touching distance of their Irish rivals with the game still open.
But the try seemed to ignite Munster, who scored two in two minutes through Smith and Hurley, before Earls made sure of the result with a breakaway effort of his own with no time left on the clock.
The result puts Munster in third place, separated with second-place Ulster on points difference, while the loss may have critical consequences to Connacht, who are in sixth place but only ahead of Edinburgh on points difference.
