SIX OF THE BEST FROM MYLER AS OSPREYS END MUNSTER’S RUN
STEPHEN Myler kicked the Ospreys to a superb victory over Munster on Saturday night. Heading into the game, Johan van Graan’s side had picked up 19 out of a possible 20 points in their opening four matches but their winning run was ended at the Swansea.com Stadium.
The first half was an intriguing contest with both sides keen to feel each other out without really landing a decisive blow.
Munster probably edged the opening 40 and worked attacking positions more frequently, but the Ospreys defended stoically.
Fly-halves Stephen Myler and Jack Crowley traded early penalties before the visitors believed they had the breakthrough.
Hooker Niall Scannell was carried over the line by a 13-man driving maul but it was disallowed by referee Hollie Davidson for a Munster player joining from an illegal position.
The game was then largely played between the two 22-metre lines, with the Ospreys unable to take advantage of the limited chances that came their way.
They did get the scoreboard moving around the half-hour mark, though. During their most threatening attack of the game the hosts got a penalty when Munster went off their feet in the shadow of their own posts and had to settle for another three from Myler.
And scrum penalties either side of the half-time whistle saw
the experienced Ospreys pivot add six more points, extending the lead to 12-3 in the 44th minute.
Ten minutes later, though, Munster hit back. An illegal tackle from Kieran Williams saw the visitors kick to the corner and the 13-man maul worked this time as scrum-half Craig Casey dotted it down. Crowley converted and the deficit was two.
But the Ospreys controlled the next 20 minutes. They forced their way into the Munster 22 on a number of occasions and, whenever it looked threatening, the visitors infringed, opting to give up three rather than seven points.
Myler was happy to oblige as he knocked over his fifth and sixth penalties of the night.
Replacement Munster fly-half Ben Healy missed two longrange penalties late on as the hosts held on for a fantastic victory.
OSPREYS: Max Nagy; Alex Cuthbert, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Mat Protheroe; Stephen Myler, Rhys Webb (capt); Nicky Smith, Elvis Taione, Tom Botha, Bradley Davies, Rhys Davies, Sam Cross, Jac Morgan, Ethan Roots.
MUNSTER: Matt Gallagher; Andrew Conway, Liam Coombes, Dan Goggin, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue.
REPLACEMENTS: Kevin O’Byrne, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Conor Murray, Ben Healy, Damian de Allende.