Guinness Pro 12

GLASGOW WARRIORS 27

MUNSTER 24

by Stewart McConnell

A BUMPER crowd of more than 7000 at Rugby Park on Friday saw Glasgow Warriors return to winning ways with a well-deserved victory over Munster at Rugby Park.

It was a pulsating encounter which was settled by a late try for Gregor Townsend's men.

Glasgow made an electric start, in front of a noisy 7,212 crowds as Ali Price set up great field position and Sila Puafisi crashed over for his first try for the club. Duncan Weir converted, and Glasgow led by 7-0 with five minutes on the clock.

Just two minutes later, and Puafisi was over again, as the Warriors went from one 22 to the other straight from the restart. Weir again added the extras, giving his side a 14-0 lead.

However, Munster hit back as loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne touching down for Munster’s first score. Ian Keatley was successful with his first kick of the night to reduce the leeway.

Keatley narrowed the gap further with a penalty after Glasgow were penalised at a ruck before Munster took the lead for the first time as Kilcoyne notched his second touchdown. Keatley’s conversion meant the Irish side led 17-14 in 25 minutes.

Weir sent a penalty just wide as Glasgow trailed by three points going into the interval.

However, stunning play from Weir four minutes into the second half saw the Warriors regain the lead, as the fly-half sliced through the Munster defence from 40 metres out to touch down to make it 19-17.

Munster were reduced to 14 men, as scrum-half Tomas O’Leary was sin-binned for a deliberate knock on after 55 minutes, before Weir extended the Warriors lead with a penalty five minutes later.

Once again Munster replied immediately, as substitute hooker Mike Sherry went over for the try out wide. Keatley converted from a difficult angle, firing Munster 24-22 ahead.

In 69 minutes, visiting player James Cronin was given a yellow card as his side were punished for repeated scrum infringements. This time, Glasgow made the extra man count, as Glenn Bryce crossed for the bonus point try. Weir was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt, but Glasgow led 27-24 and that was how it finished.