A late try saw Munster edge Edinburgh

MATCH REPORT: Fineen Wycherley’s late try saw Munster keep their unbeaten run intact with a narrow 20-19 win over Edinburgh on Friday.

Munster got off to a blistering start when Andrew Smith showed great awareness to go for the quick throw after the ball went into touch which found Calvin Nash. The Limerick winger carried and kicked ahead where Smith gave chase. The bounce of the ball went the way of the home side as Smith collected and dotted down in the corner. Hanrahan was wide with the difficult conversion attempt as Munster took an early 0-5 lead.

The Scottish side came roaring back just a few minutes later when a powerful rolling maul couldn’t be stopped as Edinburgh got their first try of the game through Ewan Ashman. Ben Healy’s conversion attempt came off the post as the game went level after just eight minutes played.

Edinburgh went through another dangerous passage of play in the Munster 22 but Clayton McMillan’s side kept their discipline this time around which allowed Fineen Wycherley to get in for a much-needed turnover at the breakdown.

Munster allowed Edinburgh easy possession when they lost the ball on their own lineout throw in the 22. The Scots took the opportunity as a number of close range carries saw Ben Vellacott crash over. Healy converted to give Munster a 5-12 lead.

Edinburgh had another long period of possession in the Munster 22 but some big shots in defence kept the visitors at bay as Munster won a penalty to relieve the pressure.

Munster started to get back into the game as a number of penalty concession from Edinburgh saw the home side make their way up the pitch. From a lineout five metres out, Munster’s maul almost got over but after going through a few phases, Edinburgh saw Glen Young sent to the bin for cynical play.

Munster went to the corner again but this time the ball went forward and a big chance went amiss for the home side.

Moments later, Mike Haley received the ball in the backfield and as he ran the ball back at the visitors, D’Arcy Rae was sent to the bin making contact with Haley’s head.

Munster worked their way back up the pitch and from another 5m lineout, edged close to the line before a few close range carries saw Michael Milne crash over for Munster’s second try. Hanrahan was wide with the conversion as Edinburgh kept a two point lead approaching half-time.

Munster looked primed to get a third try as half-time drew closer but unfortunately for the home side, the ball was lost at a crucial time as Edinburgh cleared to signal the half-time whistle.

It was Edinburgh who got the first try of the second half when a perfectly executed crossfield kick was collected by Darcy Graham with the winger using his pace to get away from the covering Munster defence to score their third try. Healy’s conversion put the Scots 10-19 in front.

A great move off a midfield scrum set Smith on his way and as he was tackled in the Edinburgh 22, Freddy Douglas illegally competed at the ruck which resulted in a swift yellow card from referee Ben Whitehouse. Hanrahan quickly kicked the ball into the corner as Munster looked to get back into the game. Off the lineout, Munster went through a number of close-range phases but Edinburgh won a turnover at the breakdown much to the frustration of the sold-out Virgin Media Park crowd.

Munster did get back into the game approaching the midway point of the second half as Jack O’Donoghue released Dan Kelly who brought down just short of the line. McMillan’s side went through the phases close to the line until Milne crashed over for his second try of the night. Hanrahan’s conversion went wide as Munster faced into a four-point deficit.

With the match entering the final 10 minutes, Munster were in their own half without the ball. Indiscipline from Edinburgh, however, gave Munster a chance and after a number of phases and a yellow card from the visitors, Fineen Wycherley crashed over for Munster’s fourth try. Tony Butler was unsuccessful with the conversion as Munster took a 20-19 lead with six minutes remaining.

It was a nervy final few minutes as Edinburgh creeped their way ever closer to the Munster line but thankfully a turnover was won at a crucial moment as Munster kept their 100% start to the season intact.

The scorers:

For Munster:
Tries: Smith, Milne 2, Wycherley

For Edinburgh:
Tries: Ashman, Vellacott, Graham
Cons: Healy 2

Yellow cards: Glen Young (Edinburgh, 28), D’arcy Rae (Edinburgh, 31), Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh, 53), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh, 70)

Teams:

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Seán O’Brien, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Ruadhán Quinn, 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Diarmuid Barron (captain), 1 Michael Milne.
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Brian Gleeson, 21 Ethan Coughlan, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Dan Kelly.

Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Magnus Bradbury (captain), 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 Liam McConnell, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Paddy Harrison, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Glen Young, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Ben Muncaster, 22 Charlie Shiel, 23 Harry Paterson.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland) & Jack MacNeice (Ireland)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)

Source: MunsterRugby