Scarlets upset Munster's title hopes
Llanelli Scarlets 32 Munster 17
Defending Celtic League champions Llanelli Scarlets upset Munster’s title ambitions with a rousing bonus point win at Stradey Park.
The Scarlets produced their best display of the season to see off a near-full strength Munster.
It was a win that strengthened the Scarlets’ bid to qualify for the Heineken Cup next season while also doing rivals The Ospreys a big favour in the race for the League crown.
Llanelli started strongly with fly-half Gareth Bowen slotting over a third minute penalty.
Munster, fielding nine of Ireland’s Six Nations squad, almost hit back straight away but former All Black Christian Cullen was denied by a last-gasp tackle from Tal Selley.
There was no halting the visitors in the 15th minute, however. Flanker Alan Quinlan won a short range line-out and when the Munster pack rumbled up the home line, scrum half Peter Stringer spotted a gap to dive over. Half-back partner Ronan O’Gara had no problem with the conversion.
Llanelli had to endure plenty more pressure from the Munster eight but they somehow managed to keep their line intact as O’Gara pushed an attempted drop goal wide.
Then on 28 minutes, Llanelli struck back with a well-crafted try of their own.
Tongan wing Aisea Havili made the initial break down the left flank and strong work by prop John Davies paved the way for centre Matthew Watkins to dive over wide out.
An O’Gara penalty four minutes before half time gave Munster back the lead but it lasted barely a minute as straight from the kick-off, the Scarlets came storming back with number eight Andy Powell racing over from the 22-metre line.
Bowen’s conversion made it 15-10 at the interval but it was Munster who began the second period the stronger with Quinlan benefiting from a break from centre Jason Holland to touch down beneath the posts.
O’Gara again converted as Ireland international Quinlan was forced to leave the field with a broken nose.
But, just as in the first half, Llanelli’s response was immediate.
Munster spilled a routine pass just outside their own 22 and Tongan flyer Havili raced in unopposed to the line.
Bowen converted then landed a penalty to give his side an eight-point cushion on the hour.
Munster piled on the pressure but handling errors continued to cost them dear.
That proved the case 10 minutes from time when O’Gara threw out a speculative long pass which Llanelli lock Chris Wyatt intercepted and galloped 70 metres to the line, just out-pacing full-back Cullen on the way.
