MUNSTER LEFT SCARLET FACED
Scarlets 10 Munster 6
SCARLETS boosted their Pro14 play-off chances with a gritty 10-6 win over high-flying Munster in driving rain.
Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny turned in a classy display in his second game back after concussion, kicking five points to add to Ioan Nicholas’ early try.
Bill Johnston kicked penalties for Munster at either end of the first half.
The Reds, who only had prop John Ryan released by Ireland for a solid hour’s game time, opened the scoring with an early Johnston penalty after winning two lineouts off home throws.
But Scarlets put Nicholas over for the first try after 11 minutes after Halfpenny set up their attacking platform with a run from half-way, and landed the conversion off the post.
Their back-five forwards’ injury jinx struck again inside the first quarter though, as flanker Dan Davis was helped off with apparent
concussion and replaced by Tom Phillips.
Leigh Halfpenny has completed two full 80 minutes games after three months out with concussion
Munster enjoyed lengthy spells of pressure in the rain with Kiwi hooker Rhys Marshall carrying hard, but narrowly failed to batter their way over, and had to settle for a second Johnston penalty in the 40th minute to make it 7-6.
With the Scarlets forwards employing Munsteresque pick-and-go power, Halfpenny’s simple penalty after 48 minutes extended the lead. Munster then muscled their way over through Jean Kleyn on the hour, only for the score to be ruled out for obstruction.
The home side then hung on to win an absorbing battle of two below-strength sides as the contest game to a soggy end.