Munster extended their lead at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 as Felix Jones, Damien Varley, James Cronin and Andrew Conway all touched down against Cardiff Blues.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: CARDIFF BLUES 10 MUNSTER 31
Out-half JJ Hanrahan also produced a flawless place-kicking display, tallying up 11 points as Rob Penney’s men made it seven wins out of eight league games.
Cardiff number 10 Simon Humberstone missed an opening penalty chance in the third minute when Damien Varley was penalised for a high tackle.
But Munster coughed up an easy three points 10 minutes later in front of the posts with Humberstone making no mistake with his second attempt at goal.
A superior Munster scrum inside the Cardiff half resulted in a quick tap and go, and as the ball was flashed out wide Cardiff centre Gavin Evans slipped and man-of-the-match Casey Laulala seized the opportunity to unlock the Blues defence.
He popped a great offload to Felix Jones who powered through a gap for the opening try of the evening. Hanrahan added the extras to give Munster a 7-5 lead after 17 minutes.
Minutes later Hanrahan opted to chip through the Cardiff defence and Johne Murphy was on hand to gather the perfectly-timed bounce, but the ball spilled forward.
The next break came from CJ Stander who barged his way through the centre and made yards well in to the 22, but Cardiff reclaimed possession when they were quick to seize the exposed ball at the back of the ruck.
Stand-in captain Varley touched down for Munster’s second score as he stretched for the line with Andries Pretorius in tow and referee David Wilkinson consulted television match official Paul Adams before awarding the try. Hanrahan duly stepped up again to fire over his second conversion.
The attacking momentum continued and minutes later James Cronin was diving over for try number three as he found himself in an unopposed back-line with Laulala and Andrew Conway outside him.
It was Cathal Sheridan who had initially blocked and claimed Humberstone’s clearance to give Munster the attacking opportunity.
The table toppers finished the first half with a Hanrahan penalty after Cardiff were ruled offside and they led 24-3 going in at the break.
The pressure continued when play resumed and Sean Dougall was quick to charge down a Cardiff kick after which Munster went on to score in the resulting phase of play.
It was influential centre Laulala who threatened once again. He drew in the defence and passed to Jones who fired the ball out to Conway – sprinting down the far wing – to run in Munster’s bonus point try in the right corner. Hanrahan made it five out of five with his impressive touchline conversion.
When reduced to 14 men after Stander was yellow carded for coming in at the side, Cardiff took advantage and scored their only try with hooker Kristian Dacey finishing it off.
The infringements continued for Munster and Mike Sherry was sin-binned with ten minutes remaining. Despite the Blues applying some late pressure, the visitors, who brought on Academy player Johnny Holland for his league debut, had done enough to run out comfortable winners.
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