A late Chris Paterson penalty ensured a nervy end to Munster’s Magners League game in Murrayfield but they emerged worthy 20-15 winners over Edinburgh
Munster led at half time, 17-9 thanks to tries from Keith Earls and David Wallace both converted by Ronan O’Gara – who also added a penalty – and were almost in for a third at the start of the second when Ian Dowling’s good break ended just short of the Edinburgh line.
Paterson might have further reduced the deficit with his 49th minute penalty effort, just after Horan returned to the fray, his kick drifting narrowly wide but from the restart when Edinburgh were penalised O’Gara made no mistake with his effort from the Edinburgh 10 metre line.
Paterson kicked his fourth penalty in the 55th minute, O’Gara was wide two minutes later but Munster continued to enjoy territorial advantage forcing the penalty in the 63rd minute that Munster opted for touch rather than go for goal. They won the lineout through a superb Paul O’Connell take but coughed up possession allowing the home side to lift the siege.
From then until the end it was a case of Munster dominance forcing Edinburgh to try counter from deep, With five minutes left David Callam burst through but was hauled dowm five metres out. From the resultant scrum Munster were penalised and Paterson’s penalty made it a one score game. (20-15)
Turnover ball had Munster in trouble on halfway and Edinburgh kicked their way to five metres from the Munster line but the Munster defence held firm for Tony McGahan’s side to claim a deserved win
Munster: D Howlett; K Earls, L Mafi, R Tipoki, I Dowling; R O’Gara (P Warwick 64 min), T O’Leary (P Stringer 60 min), M Horan, J Flannery (F Sheahan 64 min), F Pucciariello (T Buckley 55 min); D O’Callaghan (M O’Driscoll 60 min), P O’Connell capt; D Ryan (J Melck 69 min), J O’Sullivan (T Buckley 38-48 min), D Wallace.
Edinburgh: H Southwell; C Paterson, C MacRae, N De Luca, M Robertson (A Turnbull 55 min); P Godman, M Blair capt; A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Cross; C Hamilton, B Gissing; M Mustchin, A MacDonald (David Callam 30 min, A Hogg. Replacements (not used): Andrew Kelly, Gavin Kerr, Scott Newlands, Greig Laidlaw, Andrew Easson,