Munster go back on top after Welsh raid

MUNSTER snatched a Pro 12 victory from the jaws of defeat as Dave Kilcoyne’s late try saw them secure a 25-23 success over the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

In a tight encounter, Hanno Dirksen and Kieron Fonotia had exchanged first-half scores with Jack O’Donoghue and Francis Saili with Sam Davies and Tyler Bleyendaal booting the rest of the points.

It meant the Ospreys went into the break 20-18 ahead and Davies’ second-half penalty looked like giving them the win but Munster refused to go away and incessant late pressure saw them finally find a way over the line as prop Kilcoyne dotted down for the game’s vital score.

The try made it 23-23 and Bleyendaal’s conversion ensured Munster moved back to the top of the table.

An all-action start saw Munster move ahead with an early penalty from skipper Bleyendaal before the Ospreys hit back in style with two quick tries.

A half-time lead of just two points didn’t reflect the Ospreys’ performance, and the start of the second period was a lot tighter than the first.

Both teams flooded the pitch with replacements and it was Munster, buoyed by their fresh faces, who finished the stronger. Bleyendaal thought he had scored, only for his effort to be ruled out once again by the fourth official, but Kilcoyne’s effort ensured Munster go top.