Three in a row for Munster
Munster claimed their third win of the RaboDirect PRO12 season with a 35-12 success over Scarlets at Thomond Park.
Last Updated: 17/09/11 9:51pm
Munster claimed their third win of the RaboDirect PRO12 season with a 35-12 success over Scarlets in testing conditions at Thomond Park.
Fly-Half Ian Keatley claimed a personal haul of 20 points, as the Munstermen extended their unbeaten run in the competition to thirteen.
Munster have proven to be virtually unbeatable on home turf in recent times, and this was to be no exception.
The Irish side had won a record twelve matches in a row in the league going into this one, and despite a number of changes in personnel, they maintained that unbeaten run.
It was the visitors who took a surprising lead though, as fly-half Dan Newtown kicked a penalty in the third minute.
Munster didn't take long to get into their usual stride however with Ian Keatley levelling things up.
Indeed, the home side had their first try of the game soon afterwards, when a series of sharp passes through the backs saw Doug Howlett go over. Keatley kicked the conversion, and added another penalty to put the Irish side in the ascendancy.
Both sides traded penalties after that, before constant Munster pressure deep in the Scarlets 22 led to a penalty from Keatley and Munster were now in control.
The home side dominated for the rest of the half, but it was Scarlets who got the last score of the 40, Dan Newton landing a penalty, leaving it at 20-9.
Heavy rain meant for a testing second period. Newton added another penalty for Scarlets to put them back in contention, but Ian Keatley responded with a crucial score for Munster with a placed kick of his own, to give the Irish side a healthy lead with a quarter of the game to play.
Substitutes Duncan Williams and Tommy O'Donnell made sure of the win for Munster when they came off the bench to add a try apiece to complete the win.
