Mun that got away
REDS LET 14-3 LEAD SLIP AS FRENCH PEG THEM BACK
Munster 17 17 BY JOHN FALLON JACK CROWLEY was wide with a drop goal deep into stoppage time as Munster let a winning hand slip at Thomond Park.
They were coasting to victory at 14-3 at the break and had ample possession to see off the French newcomers but failed to close out the game and paid the price.
“To lose a win at the death is disappointing,” said skipper Tadhg Beirne. “It looked like we were in control for 70 minutes but once again our lineout let us down and we weren’t clinical enough.”
Bayonne levelled with two minutes left and celebrated as if they had won.
The visitors hit the front after five minutes when veteran French scrum-half Maxime Machenaud converted a penalty.
Shay Mccarthy, making his cup debut in his home city, crowned the occasion with a superb try (right) with Crowley converting.
Munster lost winger Sean O’brien to a high tackle from Puma No.8 Rodrigo Bruni, with former Cork underage hurler Ben O’connor coming on for his Champions Cup debut. Reds
No.8 Gavin Coombes then squeezed over under the posts, with Crowley tapping over the penalty for 14-3. Bayonne cut the gap seven minutes, the finish supplied by Fijian prop Luke Tagi who used all his 130kg frame to plough through the tackle of Beirne and John Hodnett. That inspired Bayonne and they started stringing the passes together but still Crowley pushed the lead out to 17-10 after 55 minutes. Munster had plenty of possession to wrap up the win but lacked penetration.
And they paid the price as Bayonne struck four minutes from time, winning a penalty and going for touch.
Replacement scrum-half Gela Aprasidze put winger Remy Baget away and he scored on the left, out-half Thomas Dohagary landing a fine kick from the touchline.
Bayonne pushed on and it took a big rip from Beirne to halt Remy Bordeau.
Munster countered but Crowley’s drop goal was always going away from the posts. MUNSTER: Tries: S Mccarthy, G Coombes; Pens: J Crowley; Cons: Crowley 2 BAYONNE: Tries: L Taqi, R Baget; Cons: M Machenaud, T Dohagary