Glasgow Warriors | Munster v Glasgow Warriors
Share

Got an opinion?
Discuss this article in the comments section or register with the glasgowwarriors.com forum.

Search this site

April 14, 2012

Munster 35 - 29 Glasgow Warriors

GUINNESS PRO12 match played at Musgrave Park on Saturday April 14th 2012 | No comments

Stuart Hogg went over for three tries
Glasgow went down to Munster at Musgrave Park but three tries from Stuart Hogg helped the Warriors secure a bonus point that keeps alive their RaboDirect Pro12 play-off hopes.

Tries from Luke O'Dea and Peter O'Mahony put Munster in the ascendancy as the hosts led 18-6 at the end of a largely forgettable first half.

Two terrific tries from Stuart Hogg in a five-minute spell got Glasgow firing but Ian Keatley's right boot had the biggest say and a Conor Murray try made the game safe for the hosts.

But Hogg's persistence paid off when he completed his hat-trick in injury-time, with Duncan Weir's conversion securing what could prove to be a vital losing bonus point for the Warriors.

Although it was third playing fourth at the Cork venue, this tussle lacked spark for long spells and it turned into a penalty fest with Keatley, Ruaridh Jackson and Weir mopping up points.

Jackson booted the Warriors ahead with a 10th-minute penalty. Hampered by injuries and stung by their exit from Europe, Munster made a sluggish start and a series of penalties invited Glasgow forward.

Jackson missed a second shot at the posts from further out, before half-breaks from O'Mahony and Keatley finally got the men in red motoring.

They were fluid in building through the phases, and Keatley split the posts with a levelling 19th-minute penalty.

But neither side was able to move through the gears during a lacklustre first half. A surge on the right from O'Mahony got the crowd involved, and Felix Jones was inches away from notching the first try.

Glasgow forced a turnover to lift the pressure but Munster were swiftly back on the attack and the pressure told when Donncha O'Callaghan provided the assist for O'Dea to make it over in the right corner.

Keatley flashed his conversion attempt across the posts and obstruction from Wian du Preez, straight from the restart, allowed Jackson to double his kicking tally.

Munster improved their discipline approaching half-time and took their scoring chances, with Keatley cancelling out Jackson's latest penalty and O'Mahony stretching over for a last-minute try.

The young Ireland back rower did brilliantly to scramble over despite the presence of three Glasgow defenders close to their line. Keatley's conversion widened the margin to 12 points.

The Scots needed to show more urgency on the resumption and they did just that, speedster Hogg spearheading a counter-attack over halfway and he burned off two defenders for a fine score in the corner.

Keatley replied with a penalty but a neat one-two between Hogg and Colin Shaw unlocked the Munster defence again as the centre scampered through for a sizzling second touchdown.

Jackson struck a post with his conversion attempt and his opposite number Keatley miscued a penalty attempt as the pressure increased.

The Munster number 10 was back on target with his next kick and as the streak of indiscipline continued at both ends, Glasgow replacement Weir was quick to respond.

Another left-sided penalty from Keatley steadied Munster at 27-19, only for a ruck offence from Mike Sherry to be punished by Weir.

Munster were finally able to get some breathing space after Glasgow winger Federico Aramburu was sin-binned for not rolling away.

Keatley sent the resulting penalty through the uprights and then replacement Murray dotted down in the left corner after Lifeimi Mafi's skilful offload had released Simon Zebo.

The victory was within Munster's grasp and they closed it out, despite leaking a third try to Hogg - who gobbled up a hack through to score by the posts.

Referee Nigel Owens (WRU)
Attendance
Team
1
Jon Welsh
2
Pat MacArthur
3
Michael Cusack
4
Richie Gray
5
Alastair Kellock
6
Robert Harley
7
Chris Fusaro
8
John Beattie
9
Chris Cusiter
10
Ruaridh Jackson
11
Colin Shaw
12
Alex Dunbar
13
Stuart Hogg
14
Federico Aramburu
15
Peter Murchie
Sub
Dougie Hall
Sub
Ryan Grant
Sub
Moray Low
Sub
Tom Ryder
Sub
Calum Forrester
Sub
Henry Pyrgos
Sub
Duncan Weir
Sub
Tommy Seymour
Match Substitutions
Off On
Jon Welsh Ryan Grant
Off On
Chris Cusiter Henry Pyrgos
Off On
Michael Cusack Moray Low
Off On
Pat MacArthur Dougie Hall
Off On
Ruaridh Jackson Duncan Weir
Off On
Richie Gray Tom Ryder
Off On
John Beattie Calum Forrester
Off On
Colin Shaw Tommy Seymour
Scorers
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Stuart Hogg Try 
Stuart Hogg Try 
Duncan Weir Penalty
Duncan Weir Penalty
Stuart Hogg Try 
Duncan Weir Conversion