Bonus-point win for Munster
Munster ran in five tries on Saturday night as they beat Newport Gwent Dragons 38-17 in their Magners League match in Cork.
Last Updated: 06/03/11 12:19am
Munster ran in five tries on Saturday night as they beat Newport Gwent Dragons 38-17 in their Magners League match in Cork.
The home side led 18-9 at half time after a brace of tries from Doug Howlett built upon earlier penalties from Paul Warwick.
Jason Tovey also found the target for the Dragons before Steve Jones touched down. However, tries from man of the match Mick O'Driscoll, Johne Murphy and Alan Quinlan made certain of the bonus point for Munster as they seek a home semi-final.
The Dragons' cause was hardly helped by a late injury to Will Harries prior to kick-off, with Pat Leach moving to full-back and Ashley Smith brought into midfield.
Both sides showed an eagerness to attack but early penalties prevented any momentum being built up as Warwick and Tovey traded blows.
Warwick nudged Munster ahead before Tovey struck an upright with his first penalty. He made amends in the eighth minute before Warwick kicked Munster back in front.
Tovey then moved the Dragons 9-6 ahead with two well-struck efforts as the likes of Joe Bearman and Toby Faletau gained territory.
Awkward
Smith was replaced by Rhodri Gomer-Davies midway through the first half after he picked up a knock and the Dragons suffered more bad luck when lock Robert Sidoli injured an elbow after falling awkwardly in a tackle.
Munster stepped up a gear in the second quarter, with Simon Zebo and Lifeimi Mafi starting to impose themselves.
The home side scored first in the 28th minute after turning down a close-range kick in favour of a scrum.
After a solid set-piece and carry from Denis Leamy, James Coughlan took two Dragons defenders out with a deft backhanded offload before sending Howlett in at the right corner.
Warwick converted from the touchline with Munster and Howlett both scoring their second before half time, the New Zealander this time using Johne Murphy as a decoy before nipping between two covering players and over the line.
The Dragons responded positively at the start to the second half, with captain Jones crossing for a try within two minutes.
The move was started by Faletau and Tom Riley, who both made good incisions before Adam Hughes was put through a gap on the right, with Jones appearing on the overlap to finish in the corner.
Steady
Warwick then kicked another penalty to steady Munster at 21-14 before young scrum-half Conor Murray, who was making his first start, set up for O'Driscoll to cross for the hosts' third try.
A Tovey penalty reduced the Dragons' arrears to nine points entering the final quarter, but Munster had more stamina than their opponents.
Full-back Murphy cut inside Hughes and Tovey for a converted try eight minutes from time, with the fifth scored by Quinlan after an overthrown Dragons' lineout, five metres from their line.
