Report| Munster secure hard fought bonus point win against Edinburgh

MUNSTER returned to winning ways after Johann Van Graan’s side secured the bonus-point against a tough Edinburgh side.

A hattrick of tries from Simon Zebo, one try from Fineen Wycherley and 14 points from the boot of Ben Healy secured the win.

Munster were the stronger side throughout this game, but Edinburgh did enjoy purple patches throughout which ensured that Mike Blair’s side were in with a chance of snatching victory.

From the start Munster kept the pressure on as they forced Edinburgh to knock the ball forward as they tried to clear their lines. From the resulting scrum, Casey fired a pass to an onrushing Chris Farrell. Connor Boyle was then penalised for not releasing Farrell in the tackle and this allowed Healy to go for goal as he put Munster 3-0 in front with five minutes played.

Edinburgh then had their first period of possession in the Munster half, but Chris Cloete was on hand to latch onto the ball at the breakdown and win the turnover.

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Fineen Wycherley won clean ball at the back of the lineout which provided a platform for Healy to send Jack O’Donoghue through the Edinburgh defence. O’Donoghue gained some good ground before offloading to Calvin Nash who brought play deep into the Edinburgh 22.

Munster then went through the phases where Wycherley was on hand to take a pass from Casey at pace and West Cork man crashed over the line for the opening try of the game. Healy’s conversion gave Munster a 10-0 lead after 10 minutes.

A huge hit from Dave Kilcoyne on his 200th appearance allowed Cloete the perfect chance to latch onto the ball for his second turnover of the game. Healy sailed a thumping 46m effort over the post to put Munster 13-0 up.

Edinburgh then took their opportunity with their first real attack of the game as some good passing play released Ramiro Moyano for a try. Emiliano Boffelli’s conversion meant Munster’s lead was reduced to six points.

Just before the second half Edinburgh had a sustained period of possession in the Munster 22. It resulted in a penalty for the Scottish side as Diarmuid Barron was pinged for impeding the scrumhalf. Boffelli’s penalty saw Munster’s lead cut to 13-10.

With only a minute left a high tackle on Simon Zebo gave Munster a chance to launch a final attack of the half. Healy kicked as close to the corner as he could get. From the resulting maul, Munster went through the phases before spreading the ball wide to Zebo who went over for Munster’s second try. Healy added the extras to make the score 20-10 going into the half.

Second Half

A loose pass from Blair Kinghorn allowed Munster to apply some pressure in Edinburgh territory at the beginning of the second half. Munster spread the ball wide to Healy who was stopped just short of the line.

Unfortunately for Munster, referee Ben Whitehouse adjudged the home side to have knocked on the ball so Edinburgh were awarded the scrum.

The Scottish side then went up the other end of the pitch and scored a penalty through Emiliano Boffelli to reduce the deficit to seven points.

A quick turnover saw Munster spread the ball wide where Dan Goggin released Mike Haley and the fullback made some good ground before releasing Zebo who was able to ground the ball close to the posts. Healy’s conversion put Munster into a healthy 27-13 lead.

A huge defensive effort from Munster ensued Goggin also came up trumps with a tackle out wide to stop a certain try but the referee brought play back for a penalty under the posts after a period of advantage.

Edinburgh did get their second try with 10 minutes remaining when some sustained pressure saw Henry Pyrgos go over under the posts. Boffelli’s conversion ensured Munster went into the final 10 minutes with a seven point lead.

The southern province weren’t to be denied their bonus-point however, as Munster went down the blindside of a maul where Healy released Zebo and the Cork man made no mistake as he crossed in the corner for his hattrick which also secured a crucial winning bonus point for Munster.

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