Munster ‘A’ Win Through To Last-Four Of British & Irish Cup
Munster ‘A’ progressed through to the semi-final stage of the British & Irish Cup, with tries from backs Sean Scanlon and Scott Deasy helping them record a 20-9 derby win over Ulster Ravens at Ravenhill.
Munster 'A' out-half Scott Deasy opened the scoring with a penalty from 40 metres out. His opposite number Paddy Jackson had two opportunities to draw level, the second of which he dispatched.
A neat back-line move by the Munstermen, with Australian centre Will Chambers to the fore, allowed Luke O'Dea to break down the left touchline but Luke Marshall and Conor Gaston combined to keep him out.
Another well-worked attack from the visiting backs created apace for the dangerous Chambers who sliced open the Ravens defence in midfield.
His well-timed pass sent full-back Sean Scanlon over the whitewash and Deasy landed the simple conversion to put his side 10-3 up.
Jackson missed a fairly straightforward penalty attempt before Munster 'A' scored their second try.
Chambers, in his final game in Munster colours, was again involved and he supplied a pass to Deasy who cut a great angle to touch down under the posts. He added the extras to put Munster 'A' 17-3 up at the interval.
The Ravens started the second half brightly and Jackson immediately cut into the lead with a well-struck penalty effort. Deasy and Jackson swapped further penalties to leave the scoreline at 20-9 after an hour's play.
Gary Longwell's home side improved in the last 15 minutes and the pressure told as Munster 'A' replacement hooker Mike Sherry was sin-binned.
They continued to fight their way back into the game, but a combination of poor handling and excellent defence from the men in red kept them out.
Referee: James Matthew (Scotland)