Haley Leads The Way In Four-Try Munster Win

Munster returned to winning ways at Irish Independent Park with a convincing 28-12 bonus point triumph over the Ospreys in the GUINNESS PRO14.

Following a heavy defeat to the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein a fortnight ago, this four-try success, which was sealed by Arno Botha’s 79th-minute try, will come as a welcome boost for Johann van Graan’s side.

The Ospreys had two penalties in each half from out-half Luke Price, but trailing 7-6 at half-time is as close as they could get. Converted tries from James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, man-of-the-match Mike Haley and Botha got the job done for Munster.

The visitors had entered this contest on the back of a morale-boosting 24-20 victory over Benetton Rugby, and although Price did well to contribute 12 points from the tee, they ultimately lacked a cutting edge in attack at the Cork venue.

An opening quarter that was characterised by sloppy handling errors from both sides was finally brought on life on 16 minutes. Following a Price knock-on, Munster were offered an attacking platform in the Ospreys half.

Dan Goggin subsequently made a powerful break up the right wing and passed inside for loosehead prop James Cronin to crash over in fine style. Tyler Bleyendaal supplied the extras to give Munster an early seven-point cushion.

Despite losing Tom Botha to an early injury, the Ospreys pack grew in confidence as the action progressed. Their persistence was eventually rewarded in the form of a close-range penalty. Price comfortably slotted this effort between the posts and he also found the target in the 39th minute.

Munster were close to bagging a second try right on the stroke of half-time, but superb maul defence ensured the visitors were only a single point behind at the break. Van Graan’s charges had work to do having struggled to get their hands on the ball for large spells of the first half.

They immediately put this right on the resumption, however. After Ospreys flanker Sam Cross was sin-binned, quick thinking saw hooker Marshall barge over for his 14th try in a Munster shirt.

Price kept the Welshmen in contention with his third penalty of the night, but their try-line was once again breached just nine minutes into the second period.

The impressive Haley feigned a pass out wide on the right to winger Calvin Nash and instead slalomed through for a clinical five-pointer, slipping by two defenders. Another Bleyendaal conversion edged Munster a step closer to their third win of the new season.

Price added another place-kick just shy of the hour mark, but Munster were never in serious danger of letting their lead slip away and it was replacement number 8 Botha’s powerful finish that secured maximum points right at the death.