Steven Shingler scored a match-winning penalty with the last kick of the game as Scarlets preserved their winning streak in the GUINNESS PRO12 and ended Munster’s in the process. Munster took command in the first half through Andrew Conway’s brilliant solo try, allied to two Ian Keatley’s conversion and penalty. Shingler had scored off the tee for Scarlets, who had looked dangerous in bursts and they made good on that promise when both DTH van der Merwe and replacement Tom Williams burst over early after the break. Keatley and Shingler fired over a further nine points with their boot, but it was the latter’s haul that proved the match-winning contribution in a 25-22 victory. Something had to give between first-place Munster and second-place Scarlets, who along with Edinburgh were the only sides remaining with a perfect record in the GUINNESS PRO12. Munster enjoyed the upperhand in the opening exchanges, and after a Scarlets infringement in the scrum Ian Keatley – a late change at fly-half after Tyler Bleyendaal pulled out in the warm-up – slammed over the first three points. And when the chance came for Shingler to level the scores after Munster failed to roll away, he was unable to get enough purchase. Play remained stop start until Gerald van den Heever broke through the Scarlets line and it took wonderful work from James Davies in the ruck to steal the ball away. Van der Merwe brought Parc y Scarlets to its feet midway through the half when he stormed his way into Munster territory, and quick hands between Regan King and Aled Thomas brought the hosts within striking distance. But Shingler could not quite scoop the ball up and he knocked on with the try-line gaping – foiling what could have been the try of the season. Conway’s own moment of magic had the Munstermen celebrating a short while later however, grounding with his forearm after a superb kick and chase which saw him beat Hadleigh Parkes to the ball. Keatley converted and was on the money with a penalty from nearly 40 metres out after Shingler had got Scarlets off the mark with his own three-pointer. The hosts did get the last word of the half though, Shingler with his second penalty of the night after a collapsed scrum. Scarlets raced out of the traps in the second half and replacement Williams made the most of space down the left flank to set van der Merwe free, who avoided touch by a hair to dot down. Munster maintained a two-point advantage after Shingler missed his touchline conversion, and Keatley then regained more ground with another effort from the tee. Wayne Pivac’s men pulled level after a defensive slip-up allowed Williams to pounce and touch down in the corner – after a lengthy consultation with the TMO – but Shingler’s conversion crashed off the upright. Williams saw yellow moments later for a high tackle and in the meantime, Scarlets flanker Lewis Rawlins received treatment for a head injury and needed to be stretchered off. It was tit-for-tat, Keatley nailing a drop-goal before Shingler sent a penalty over, though the former did miss two attempts in quick succession. But Keatley made no mistake with a huge 50-metre penalty heading into the last two minutes to nose Munster in front. Back came Scarlets and Shingler responded with a 77th-minute penalty after Munster were pinged for not releasing. Shingler was handed another chance with the clock deep into the red and, from some 46 metres out, clinched a thrilling victory. To buy tickets for the GUINNESS PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also 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.
