The Scarlets picked up a vital losing bonus point in a 23-17 defeat against Munster in Cork as they closed the gap on Welsh regional rivals Cardiff Blues in the Magners League basement to a single point.
The visitors got off to a flying start when Rhys Priestland charged down a kick by his opposite number Paul Warwick in the opening minutes and raced 70 metres to score in the right corner.
With the strong wind at their backs the Scarlets attacked throughout the first-half with David Lyons and Josh Turnbull leading the charge. But they found the Munster defence difficult to break down and the home side were quick to respond to their early disappointment.
It took them only three minutes to reply to Priestland’s strike when South African centre Jean de Villiers crashed over near the posts. Warwick converted and the score stayed the same for almost half-an-hour.
The Scarlets had their chances to add to score, notably when Richie Pugh gathered a kick-off and raced to the foot of the right hand upright, but had to wait until Priestland banged over a 45 metre penalty in the 33rd minute before they got their noses back in front.
Yet no sooner had they regained the lead than the Scarlets shot themselves in the foot. Prop Deacon Manu was caught pulling the shirt of home back row man Nick Williams on his 22 and was sent to the sin-bin.
While Manu was off the pitch Munster picked up 10 points, heading into the interval with a 17-8 lead thanks to a penalty and conversion from Warwick and a try from No 8 James Coughlan.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Priestland scoring first, this time with a magnificent penalty from 45 metres into the wind. That brought the Scarlets back into bonus point territory, but a second Warwick penalty pushed them back into the cold.
The rest of the scoring came from the respective boots of the two outside halves with Priestland’s fourth penalty four minutes from time earning the losing bonus point.
I
t was a gritty performance from the visitors and one which could have earned them even greater reward. Their line-out was superb, the scrum powerful and the threat from Jonathan Davies and Regan King in the midfield constant.
Now their home fixture with the Blues is going to be crucial in determining which of the four Welsh regions finishes last in the Magners league Lable and, therefore, misses out on the Heineken Cup next season.
Scorers: Munster: Tries: J de Villers, J Coughlan ; Cons : P Warwick 2; Pens:P Warwick 3. Scarlets; Try: R Priestland; Pens: R Priestland 4.
