A sparkling second half performance from Scarlets saw them complete a fine comeback win to end Munster’s unbeaten Guinness PRO12 run. Going into the game without a domestic blemish on their copybook since October – a run of nine games – it looked set to be continued as Munster established a 21-6 lead at the break. But three rapid-fire tries around the hour mark turned things in Scarlets’ favour, with Munster unable to hit back as they fell to an unexpected loss. The visitors got off to a fast start when Jaco Taute dropped the ball, conceding a penalty that Daniel Jones had no problems in dispatching through the posts after just one minute. And Scarlets continued to press forwards in the opening stages, but Munster stood firm and eventually turned defence into attack, but Darren Sweetnam could not find Duncan Williams with the offload after breaking clear. Scarlets regained possession but when Billy Holland won a turnover Munster were in for the opening try of the night. Dave O’Callaghan was stopped short of the line, but quick recycled ball led to Taute going over – Tyler Bleyendaal adding the extras in the 12th minute. The Welshmen narrowed their deficit minutes later when Munster were caught offside and Jones slotted over a second penalty to trail by just one. The home side responded, though, and a lineout drive led to a penalty that Bleyendaal dumped into the corner to set up another catch and drive. It paid dividends, too, as Sweetnam went over on 22 minutes and, once confirmed by the TMO, Bleyendaal was again accurate from the tee. Two tries became three before the half hour mark as Conor Oliver went over, making the most of fellow academy man Dan Goggin’s break – Bleyendaal again adding extras. But neither side could add to the score before the break and a scrappy end to the half saw Munster go in at half time leading 21-6. Wayne Pivac’s men came out fighting in the second period and spend much of the opening ten minutes in Munster territory, forcing a penalty but Jones was wayward and they remained 15 points behind. He made up for it in the 51st minute, though, making his third kick of the night after Munster were penalised for an infringement at the lineout. And Scarlets continued to press, but when James Davies showed some pace on the flank, his pass to Aaron Shingler was too powerful and it found touch rather than the flankers’ hands. But the try did come as Munster conceded another penalty and Hadleigh Parkes latched on to Aled Davies’ chip to cross the whitewash – Jones adding the extras. And one try became two a minute later as Davies broke from the scum on the half way line, before feeding Johnny McNicholl on the supporting run to finish – Jones kicking the conversion to put Scarlets two points ahead. Munster were rattled and a rampant Scarlets scored a third try in quick succession on the hour mark, Tom Williams going over in the corner with another Jones conversion extending their lead to nine with 18 minutes to play. From then on Scarlets were on the back foot but stood their ground to repel attack after attack from the Munstermen, but a collapsed five-metre scrum on 70 minutes did not help their cause as the visitors were allowed to gather their thoughts and clear their lines. And things weren’t going the home side’s way as, with five minutes remaining, David Kilcoyne thought he had given his side a lifeline – only for the TMO to rule he was just short of the line. That was the last chance Munster could muster and, when the referee’s whistle blew it signalled the first home loss for the Irish province this season. Guinness PRO12 Final 2017, 27th May, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Ticket Information: Fans can still avail of an exclusive number of €30 tickets. Book via www.ticketmaster.ie. Further information: www.pro12rugby.com/final
