Munster move 11 points clear

Munster moved 11 points clear at the top of the Magners League with a 23-11 victory over Edinburgh on Friday night.

Doug Howlett crossed in injury-time at the end of the first-half to draw Munster level at 13-13 after front-rowers Tony Buckley and Geoff Cross had traded scores earlier in the half.

Ronan O'Gara edged the hosts in front with a penalty after the break and Howlett crossed for his second 14 minutes before full time to seal the win.

Chris Paterson and O'Gara swapped penalties early on as both sides made a steady start to the clash at Thomond Park.

But Edinburgh were forced to mount a ferocious defence as Munster cranked up the pressure in the visitors' 22.

Despite their efforts however, they were unable to hold the Irish side off and when Peter Stringer's pass wide to the right found Buckley the prop was able to barge over in the corner.

Magnificent

Television match official Brian Fitzgerald confirmed the try but O'Gara missed the conversion to leave the hosts leading 8-3 after 15 minutes.

Paterson closed the gap to two points following a ruck offence from Tommy O'Donnell before a powerful maul and swift counter-attack by the visitors ended with Cross going over.

Paterson added the extras to make it 13-8 but late in the half Lifeimi Mafi ripped Edinburgh's defence wide open with a magnificent break before feeding Howlett.for the try.

O'Gara missed the conversion wide on the right to leave the two sides on level pegging at the break.

O'Gara nudged his side into the lead with a penalty six minutes after the restart and on 66 minutes Howlett claimed his second to the left of the posts after a powerful midfield thrust from Mafi.

O'Gara converted to put his side 10-point in front and firmly in the driving seat as Edinburgh fell to their fifth straight defeat in all competitions.