Arms Park Heartbreak For Munster

A try in deepest injury-time from Tal Selley shot the Cardiff Blues up to second in the Magners League and broke Munster hearts in the process as the Welsh region came from behind to take the spoils at the Arms Park.

Cardiff are fast becoming Munster’s bogey team in the league. This smash-and-grab victory was the Blues’ fourth league win on the trot over the Irish province and followed up on their 19-17 success at Musgrave Park in October.

While Munster made a dream start to this round 12 clash by scoring a first-minute try through full-back Shaun Payne, it was a nightmare finish for Declan Kidney’s men as Selley struck for that all-important try, seven minutes into injury-time.

Tries in the third quarter from Tony Buckley and Paul O’Connell, who was making his first start of the season after recovering from a long-term back injury, had Munster leading 22-11.

But the home side got back in touch with a converted 72nd-minute try from Jamie Roberts and Roberts played his part in the thrilling finale as he sliced through Munster’s midfield and sent the supporting Selley in under the posts.

The Blues gave a first start to their 20-year-old fly-half Rhys Jones, who is on loan from Sale Sharks, but his first touch of the ball – a clearance kick off the restart – was blocked down.

Munster secured possession and Peter Stringer fed Paul Warwick who dinked a lovely chip to the left corner for Payne to dash onto and score.

Warwick converted but the Blues soon gained a foothold with a powerful run from Roberts paving the way for an eighth-minute penalty success from Ben Blair.

Both Warwick and Blair then missed a penalty shot apiece before the Welshmen took the lead in the 24th-minute.

The Munster defence was scattered when centre Jamie Robinson made a fine break and good hands from Paul Tito, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Jones and Richie Rees in the build-up led to hooker Rhys Thomas dotting down on the right.

Blair missed the conversion and after seeing a drop goal attempt go wide, Warwick replied for Munster with a 36th-minute penalty that glanced in off the post.

That left Munster 10-8 ahead for half-time, although a lightning break by Richie Rees late on almost saw Selley make the corner.

In front of a 11,268-strong crowd – the Blues’ second biggest attendance of the season – the hosts began the second half with an unforced error as Blair kicked out on the full.

Munster pressed and after a quick tap penalty by the lively Stringer, powerfully-built prop Buckley beat off Rhys Thomas and Blair to cross for a 47th-minute try.

Warwick failed to add the extras and Cardiff managed to close the gap to four points when Blair knocked over his second penalty of the evening.

Possession wise, Munster were dominant and their cause was helped by some poor line-kicking by the home side’s backs.

Just short of the hour mark, O’Connell barged over for Munster’s third try after Lifeimi Mafi had powered past some weak tackling and linked well with Doug Howlett.

Warwick’s successful conversion gave Munster a 22-11 buffer to defend for the final quarter. However, helped the introduction of some fresh legs, the Blues set up a furious finish.

A neat break by Gareth Thomas and good foraging by Rhys Jones and Xavier Rush led to Roberts muscling over in the right corner despite the presence of three Munster players.

Blair made it a seven-pointer and although the last five minutes were played out in the Munster 22, the visitors looked set to hang on for their fourth straight win over Welsh opponents.

But despite the best efforts of O’Connell and company, the Blues made it a St. David’s Day to remember when Selley sliced through and Blair converted with the last kick of the game.