Munster ensured they avoided further unwanted statistics this season as they claimed their first win of the new GUINNESS PRO12 season 21-10 against Benetton Treviso thanks largely to the performance of fly-half Ian Keatley. Last week Munster lost 14-13 at home to Edinburgh – a result that saw the Irish Province rack up a third straight loss at Thomond Park for the first time since the professional era started, with Keatley having a miserable night off the kicking-off tee. Munster’s only loss in their last five fixtures against Italian opponents came in this equivalent fixture in Treviso last season and a defeat against the same opposition would have seen an opening pair of losses to the new season for the first time since 2005. Keatley, who ended with 11 points, kicked an early penalty to put the Irish side, which made eight changes from the loss against Edinburgh last week, in front after only two minutes. The lead was short-lived though as full-back Simone Ragusi touched down for Treviso after 17 minutes for the games opening try, with Joe Carlisle adding the extras off the tee for a 7-3 lead. Keatley dragged Munster back to within a point of the Italian side with his second penalty of the night after 25 minutes as the Irish side started to dominate up front. And just three minutes later flanker CJ Stander, who scored two tries on the opening weekend of the GUINNESS PRO12 for Munster, touched down for the visitors, with Keatley adding the extras again. Munster had hoped to field Irish international Paul O’Connell in Italy – he was expected to return to action but was a late withdrawal because of personal reasons and did not travel with the squad. Despite his absence the Munster pack held firm against determined opposition through until the break. Treviso had slipped to four straight GUINNESS PRO12 defeats since their 45-27 victory at home to Newport Gwent Dragons in April and despite losing at the break that statistic looked like improving against Munster. Carlisle twice had the opportunity to reduce the deficit against their Irish opposition but the Treviso fly-half twice missed with penalties on 45 and 48 minutes. And the misses proved rather costly for Treviso as Munster scored their second try of the game just two minutes later – Irish international Simon Zebo touching down, although this time Keatley was unable to add the extras. The inevitable flurry of replacements saw the game become a little stilted but it was Treviso who responded next thanks to the boot of Carlisle to make the score 18-10 with 16 minutes remaining. Keatley settled Irish nerves with another penalty on 70 minutes to take the sting out of the Italian effort and give his side back an 11-point lead. The Italians have now not beaten Irish opposition since Connacht visited Stadio Monigo in round five last season. Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12
