Munster ‘A’ scored six tries as they ran out deserved 46-26 winners over the Ospreys Premiership Select in round 4 of the British & Irish Cup in Wales.
Shane Buckley, Kevin O'Byrne, Sean Doyle, Jordan Coghlan and Ronan O'Mahony (2) all crossed for tries in Bridgend, with talented young out-half Bill Johnston adding 16 points with the boot.
It was the Ospreys Premiership Select who retained practically all of the opening possession and by right should have been 10-0 up after 10 minutes.
Their out-hal Luke Price snatched at his first kick at goal after Munster 'A' went off their feet in front of the posts, but he was on the money just minutes later when converting his side's first try.
With Munster 'A' penalised downfield for not rolling away, a long kick to the corner provided the perfect attacking platform for the Welshmen who employed the lineout maul before going through the phases at close range and Ifereimi Boladau barged over in the eighth minute.
Once they got their hands on the ball, the tide soon turned in the province's favour with the Ospreys struggling to cope with their visitors' accuracy and pace at the breakdown.
Making headway with each collision, Munster 'A' soon turned pressure into a penalty opportunity and opting for touch, the pack were clinical with the subsequent lineout maul, Buckley, who started in the second row in place of senior call-up Billy Holland, the one to touch down on 13 minutes with Johnston adding the extras.
Further good pressure saw a last ditch Ospreys defence carry the ball over their own try-line and with Munster 'A' winning a penalty from the five-metre scrum, the pack were just as potent with their second lineout maul – hooker O'Byrne touching down with Johnston bisecting the posts from the touchline conversion.
Mick O'Driscoll's charges then extended their lead to 21-7 after Doyle came from deep in receiving captain Cathal Sheridan's pass and, running a wonderful line, the back rower displayed wonderful pace to dance though the Ospreys defence for the province's third try. This time Johnston had the easiest of conversions in front of the posts.
A firm reminder that the game was far from over came with an excellent team try from the Ospreys. Countering from within their own half, neat interplay from Matthew Aubrey and full-back Richard Fussell saw the latter touch down under the posts with Price converting.
However a penalty from Garryowen clubman Johnston just on the half-time whistle put a little more daylight between the sides, as Munster 'A' went off with a 24-14 advantage.
Johnston was again on target with a penalty upon the resumption, but soon after the men in red were caught napping. A breakdown in their own lineout saw opposition hooker Matthew Dwyer pounce on the loose ball and touch down for the softest of tries.
Yet, Munster 'A' would soon quell any hopes of an Ospreys comeback with two unanswered tries, the first of which came from Coghlan – the young back rower's quick tap and go off a scrum penalty getting the better of the Ospreys defence and securing the bonus point for Munster 'A'.
The second came off the visitors' ever formidable lineout maul. After good yards were made, Duncan Williams broke and sold the dummy before releasing O'Mahony on his inside and the winger ran in unopposed under the posts, Johnston again adding the conversion.
The Ospreys did at least secure a try-scoring bonus point through Kristian Phillips on 71 minutes with Price converting, but that was before Munster 'A' finished with a flourish.
Dan Goggin neatly offloaded to O'Mahony on the left wing and he showed great pace to burn the defence on the outside and complete his brace. Landing all bar one of his place-kicks, the impressive Johnston slotted the extra two points to confirm a 20-point winning margin.
O'Driscoll's side will now travel to face Yorkshire Carnegie, who are just a point clear of Munster 'A' at the top of the table, in round 5 on Sunday, January 17 (kick-off 3pm).
Referee: Fergus Kirby (England)