Munster hold off strong challenge by Lions
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A strong defensive performance by Munster, who overcame a short spell with 13 players on the park, saw them hold off a determined Fidelity Securedrive Lions outfit at Thomond Park for an important 24-17 victory in the final match of the Vodacom URC regular season.
Both teams showed good intent with hard running on attack, but Munster had the first say as they powered their way over the tryline from strong forward play in the seventh minute. This was cancelled out minutes later by a well-timed intercept by Quan Horn to level the scores at seven-all, but the hosts slotted a penalty goal early in the second quarter to edge their way back into the lead.
Drama then unfolded for the Irishmen as they received two yellow cards within four minutes for deliberate knockdowns, which saw them being reduced to 13 men, which paved the way for the Fidelity Securedrive Lions to score their second try out wide by Kelly Mpeku.
The visitors’ hopes of entering halftime in the lead, however, were dashed as Munster again applied pressure close to the tryline and scored from a pick-and-go with a man down, which nudged them 17-14 ahead.
They added their third try in the 54th minute, while they limited the visitors to only a penalty goal for their efforts in the second half, and with neither team able to add to their scores in the closing quarter, Munster walked away with the victory.
Scorers:
Munster 24 (17) – Tries: Evan O'Connell, Craig Casey, Tom Ahern. Conversions: JJ Hanrahan (3). Penalty goal: Hanrahan.
Fidelity Securedrive Lions 17 (14) – Tries: Quan Horn, Kelly Mpeku. Conversions: Chris Smith (2). Penalty goal: Smith.
