Following a five-match losing streak across the GUINNESS PRO12 and European Champions Cup, Munster returned to winning ways with a 9-7 derby victory over Ulster at Kingspan stadium.
In a man-of-the-match performance, Ian Keatley coupled excellent game management with nine points from the boot via two penalties and one drop-goal. It was Keatley who opened the scoring with a penalty, before the game’s only try from Louis Ludik saw in-form Ulster lead 7-3 at the interval.
However, Les Kiss’ charges struggled to cope with the ferocity and determination of Munster in the second half, the men in red rendering them scoreless as Keatley landed his drop goal and a second penalty to steer the visitors to a hard-fought two-point triumph.
Munster held the opening possession but the problems that dogged them in recent weeks continued to raise their heads in the early exchange, at one stage going through 10 phases but making little penetration before the Ulstermen eventually forced the turnover.
With the pack doing well to steal an Ulster lineout, Munster made better headway during their next attacking phase and when former Munster back rower Nick Williams was pinged for not releasing in the tackle, Keatley opened the scoring with the eighth minute place-kick.
An expansive move straight off the training ground soon had young Ulster winger Rory Scholes tearing down the left lanker in pursuit of his own kick. Soon after, only a fantastic 40-metre chase and tackle from Andrew Trimble – on his 200th appearance for Ulster – prevented a Munster try as Rory Scannell threatened to turn a loose ball into a try.
As play poured back down the other end, telling upper body strength from Luke Marshall, Paddy Jackson and Stuart McCloskey got Ulster close to the line three times in as many minutes before full-back Ludik picked up from Ruan Pienaar and dived over from close range, with Jackson adding the conversion.
Ulster came again straight from the restart, but contrived to waste several promising positions with poor handling, allowing Munster to close out the first half in safe possession. Trailing 7-3, it was still very much game on for Anthony Foley’s side who put in a strong defensive effort during the opening 40 minutes, aided by the excellent form of returning flanker Tommy O’Donnell.
An exhilarating run off his wing from Scholes, followed by a great aerial take from Trimble, got Ulster off to a promising start to the second period, but an overthrow at a 53rd minute lineout set the wheels in motion for a prolonged spell of Munster possession, culminating in Keatley’s drop goal four minutes later.
Some excellent positional kicking from Keatley and some nice running, notably through Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, presented Munster with chances early in the second period, but some knock-ons and lineout issues spoiled their attacks it was play-maker Keatley’s right boot which reduced the arrears to a single point – 7-6.
Side-entry from Ulster replacement prop Ricky Lutton then allowed the Dubliner to edge the visitors in front on the hour mark. After Gonzalez Amorosino fumbled Jackson’s kick to touch moments later, a collapsed scrum from BJ Botha saw Jackson’s penalty attempt from wide on the left fall just the wrong side of the crossbar.
Continued intensity and exemplary positional kicking from Keatley saw Munster hold onto the majority of possession and play the game predominantly in the Ulster half, but again knock-ons blighted a couple of scoreable opportunities and kept Ulster very much in the hunt.
In a dramatic climax to the last of the festive interprovincials, Munster attempted to run down the clock through the phases, Keatley looking as if he was poising himself for a second drop goal, however during the 14th phase, Ulster won the turnover and a subsequent second penalty gave Jackson a kick for the lead with less than two minutes to play.
Much to the relief of Munster players, management and fans alike, his difficult attempt from 40 metres out on the left went well to the right. Ulster did manage to reclaim the clearing Munster kick, but it was not to be for the hosts as the ardent and impassioned intensity that had stood so well to Munster all game, especially in the closing half, saw them force the knock-on and with that came the final whistle.
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