Munster grind out victory
Munster moved back to the top of the Magners League with a hard-fought victory over Glagow on their return to a re-developed Thomond Park.
Last Updated: 04/10/08 9:43pm
Munster moved back to the top of the Magners League with a hard-fought victory over Glagow on their return to a re-developed Thomond Park.
The hosts ran-in three tries via Peter Stringer, Barry Murphy and Doug Howlett to delight more than 19,000 spectators with Hefin O'Hare's late score for the visitors only a consolation.
A shocking error handed Munster a gift try in the opening minutes, John Beattie spilling a quick line-out throw from Bernardo Stortoni to allow Stringer to pounce for the score.
Colin Gregor missed a chance to narrow the gap but gradually found his feet to send over two penalty kicks before the break - the Warriors going in 10-6 down after Ronan O'Gara had stretched the Munster lead.
Try-scoring chances were at a premium in the slippery conditions but when Gregor missed penalties either side of half-time, the hosts took advantage.
O'Gara once again extended the lead with a 54th minute penalty before Murphy scrambled over in the corner after a barging run from Keith Earls and a kick-through from Rua Tipoki.
Munster couldn't quite put the game to bed and Gregor cut the gap to 18-12 with a couple of penalties entering the final quarter.
But the Irish outfit finally clinched a decisive advantage when Howlett finished off a slick move involving a number of Munster hands, his fourth try of the campaign.
Yet the push for a bonus point score never materialised and instead it was left to Glasgow to complete the scoring - Stortoni and Max Evans combining to put O'Hare over on the left although Gregor was unable to give them a consolatory bonus point from the conversion attempt.
