In miserable conditions at Myreside, it was a night for hard work as Munster just managed to squeeze their way to a 10-9 victory over Edinburgh. An ugly but workmanlike performance saw the province move back to the top of the GUINNESS PRO12.
In a frustrating opening half, the men in red were unable to turn their opportunities into scores, failing to capitalise on dominant possession with errors and indiscipline proving costly.
Tenth-placed Edinburgh went at the break leading by two points – 9-7 – and would be happy with their return after the limited possession and territory during the first 40 minutes.
Jason Tovey kicked three penalties from the tee to put his side ahead, while Munster’s opening try came from winger and man-of-the-match Ronan O’Mahony as the winger increased his season’s try haul to eight.
After winning the opening scrum against the head, Munster were later pinged in the set piece with Edinburgh out-half Tovey kicking the opening points on offer after seven minutes.
A limited period of cohesive play followed and after a series of pick and goes, the forwards edged closer before O’Mahony darted over when picking off the subtlest of offloads from captain Tyler Bleyendaal. The Kiwi out-half added the extras for 7-3.
Munster scrum half Duncan Williams found himself in the sin-bin after he played the ball from an offside position in the 25th minute. The hosts used the time and attacking pressure to add two penalties from the boot of Tovey.
A late onslaught saw the Munster pack driving low for the line with replacement prop Dave Kilcoyne just held up by the red and black defence on the half-time whistle.
It was not a night for running rugby and both sides relied heavily on their kicking game in looking to gain territory. The first points of the second half came after 66 minutes with Bleyendaal just nudging Munster ahead when the Scots were penalised for using their hands on the ground.
With the clock on 80 minutes, Edinburgh managed to retain possession and drama then ensued right at the death when Duncan Hodge’s men were awarded a penalty after Munster players were slow to roll away.
Young full-back Blair Kinghorn stepped up for the long range kick but was just short with his 51-metre attempt and Munster held on for a narrow victory which sees them climb above the Ospreys at the summit.
With four Academy players in the squad, first year Academy player Calvin Nash (19) made his debut on the right wing, while Peter McCabe made his first start for Munster and fellow prop Stephen Archer chalked up his 100th PRO12 appearance.
Speaking afterwards, Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said: “It was not the best spectacle, the result was great but it was a grind. There are different blocks (of the season) when we have to perform well.
“This is the one when the international guys are out and we have to show we have the squad to cope with having nine, 10 or 11 guys out on Test duty or injured. We have to guts it out in a period like this and against Edinburgh we did that – that’s the one positive.”
He added: “Calvin Nash to get a run, Conor Oliver to get a start, there are good things. Then to get some older heads off the bench to clinch the game, there are positives but there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We always knew it was going to he a grind, we were never going to come to Edinburgh and beat them by 20 points. The next few games are all going to be like that, we might get some international guys back but we also have to build squad depth so that we go into Europe knowing what the young guys can do.”
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