Munster in control to stay top of Conference

MUNSTER put in a professional performance to beat Edinburgh at Murrayfield last night and remain top of Conference B.

The home side took the lead in the ninth minute when stand-off Jaco van der Walt converted a penalty but JJ Hanrahan equalised six minutes later.

Edinburgh winger Eroni Sau made a good break and, when the ball was recycled, second-row Andrew Davidson was held up over the line.

A neat Munster lineout move saw back-row Jack O’Donoghue go close to scoring, but Edinburgh kept him out.

In the 29th minute, though, they were unable to prevent O’Donoghue spinning out of a tackle from close range to dive over. Hanrahan converted for 10-3. The visitors were well on top and extended their lead to 17-3 at the interval as scrum-half Craig Cased burrowed over for a try which Hanrahan converted. Edinburgh knew they had to get off to a good start in the second half – and they did. Fijian No.8 Viliame Mata powered over for a try from close range, converted by Van der Walt, and it was 17-10. Rattled, Munster went down down the other end to score their third try through No.8 Gavin Coombes. Hanrahan’s conversion effort hit the upright. With 15 minutes to go Edinburgh were close to the Munster line, but the visitors won a scrum penalty and the chance was gone.