Munster Rugby secure precious bonus point win over Ospreys in URC
HOLDERS Munster Rugby made it three wins on the bounce in the United Rugby Championship after securing a precious 27-17 bonus point victory over the Ospreys at Swansea.com Stadium on Friday night.
Visitors Munster outscored their hosts by four tries to three to secure a maximum five point haul on their trip to Wales.
Sean O'Brien scored a pair of intercept tries in the epening half, while fellow winger Shane Daly aldo dotted down in the opening half with RG Snyman grabbing the bonus point try in the second period.
The game saw full-back Mike Haley earn his 100th cap for the province.
Munster, propelled by three tries, led the contest 19-5 at half-time in Wales. After a blistering start, the visitors led 12-0 after just five minutes with tries from Shane Daly, after Joey Carbery, with a terrific pass and full-back Mike Haley combined to create the opening, and Sean O'Brien, who intercepted a pass from Owen Williams before sprinting 60metres to score.
Carbery converted the second try.
Munster strengthened their grip on the game when winger O'Brien struck for his second try on 19 minutes, again off an intercept. Carbery's conversion pushed the holders advantage out to 19 points.
However, the Ospreys dominated territory and possession during the second quarter. However, the Welsh side's only reward was a try from Keelan Giles to leave 14 points between the sides at the break.
The Ospreys ended the first half with 14 players as Justin Tipuric was sent to the bin after three quickfire penalties against the home side.
The home side, who had their five game winning run in all tournaments ended with their 15-19 loss at Edinburghin their previous URC outing, hit back after the restart reducing the Munster lead to just seven points, 14-19, with a try from Sam Parry which Williams converted.
However, resilient Munster quickly regained the upperhand when South African World Cup winner Snyman drove over for their fourth try at the end of the third quarter.
The score pushed Munster's lead out to 12 points, 12-24.
Carbery dissected the upright with a 63rd minute penalty goal to leave 15 points between the sides.
The Ospreys did notch the final points of the game, however, as Alex Cuthbert dotted down to reduce Munster's margin of victory.
OSPREYS: Iestyn Hopkins, Alex Cuthbert, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Rhys Davies, Jeandre Rudolph, Justin Tipuric (Capt), Morgan Morris. Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Garyn Phillips, Rhys Henry, Huw Sutton, Harri Deaves, Cameron Jones, Jack Walsh, Owen Watkin.
MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Seán O'Brien, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly, Joey Carbery, Craig Casey, Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Tom Ahern, RG Snyman, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen (Capt), Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Jack O'Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Shay McCarthy.
REFEREE: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
