Munster make it two from two
Munster made it two wins from two at the start of this season's Magners League with a 16-13 triumph at Edinburgh.
Last Updated: 10/09/10 10:30pm
Munster made it two wins from two at the start of the new Magners League season with a hard-fought 16-13 triumph away at Edinburgh.
The Scottish team held firm under pressure in the first 40 minutes and went in at the break only trailing 6-3 thanks to a Chris Paterson penalty.
They then took the lead at the start of the second half when Tim Visser crossed - only for Donncha O'Callaghan to hit back by going over for Munster.
Both teams then traded penalties in the final quarter to leave Munster now winners as Edinburgh slumped to a second straight loss in the league.
Edinburgh had hardly been out of their own half when Paul Warwick slotted a simple penalty to put Munster ahead after 13 minutes.
The first half was marred by a 20-minute stoppage for a serious injury to Edinburgh's Argentinian lock Esteban Lozada and, on his eventual departure.
Second penalty
Not long after the resumption in play Alex Grove was adjudged offside, allowing Warwick to kick his second penalty and make it 6-0.
Paterson cut the deficit in half shortly before half time and they amazingly went ahead when Visser beat Doug Howlett to Phil Godman's kick and for then sprinted 40 yards for the first try of the night.
Paterson added the extras but Edinburgh's lead would not last for long.
After Ian Dowling was hauled down a metre short, replacement lock O'Callaghan, who had only just come on the pitch, forced his way over.
O'Gara slotted the conversion and, although Paterson's 62nd-minute penalty birefly tied the scores, the Munster fly-half put his team back in front with three points.
The Irish side successfully ran down the clock tomaintain their slender lead and claim what could prove to be an invaluable win on their travels.