A dogged and determined Munster performance saw the home side emerge with a vital 17-12 win over a very strong Saracens side at Thomond Park.
Mark McCall’s side came to Thomond Park with a side littered with international talent and they put in a performance which saw them lead this game for 60 minutes.
Munster trailed 3-6 at the break with just one Jack Crowley penalty to show for their efforts after missing numerous chances in the first half.
Munster pushed on in the second half with tries from Dian Bleuler and John Hodnett which were both converted by Crowley.
An early mistake from Munster from the kick-off saw Mike Haley knock the ball on in contact. A few phases later Munster conceded an offside penalty which allowed Alex Lozowski the chance to put three points on the board and the centre made no mistake with the kick.
Munster responded well with a quick-tap taken from a scrum free kick. Gavin Coombes powered into the Saracens 22 but and Munster brought play to just outside the 5m line. Unfortunately, the ball slowed down and Munster eventually knocked it on which allowed Saracens to clear.
More indiscipline from Munster at the breakdown saw Lozowski have another opportunity for three points and he made no mistake to put his side 0-6 in front with 10 minutes on the clock.
Munster reduced the deficit to three points after 25 minutes when a Saracens player handled the ball on the deck which allowed Jack Crowley to kick three points to make it 3-6.
A few minutes later Crowley fielded a kick from Elliot Daly and the Innishannon man produced two sublime chips over the top of Saracens defenders to set himself carrying into the visitors’ 22 with venom. Unfortunately, Crowley spilled the ball which led to a scrum for Saracens but the Thomond Park faithful roared in appreciation of the out-half’s efforts.
Six minutes from the interval, Munster were pushing hard for a try. A lineout maul seemed destined to cross over the Saracens line but the English side managed to turn over the ball and with that Munster’s last major chance of the first half.
A positive start to the second-half from Munster was undone by a knock on with possession on the Saracens’ 22m line.
Saracens wrestled back possession and indiscipline from Munster at the breakdown saw Fineen Wycherley concede a penalty for not rolling away which allowed Elliot Daly a long-range kick at the posts which he converted. After 45 minutes, Munster trailed 3-9.
A Saracens infringement from the lineout gave Crowley the opportunity to kick three points from a long distance and the out-half had the distance but the ball drifted to the right of the posts.
Saracens responded with a period of possession in the Munster 22 but the defence held firm which resulted in the visitors opting for the drop goal attempt which drifted wide.
Munster then went back down the other end and this time there was a brilliant break from Gavin Coombes who carried a number of Saracens players on his back. This brought play a metre out from the Saracens line. Dian Bleuler was then on the scene to pick and go and crash over for a crucial try. Crowley’s conversion ensured Munster took a 10-9 lead at the midway point of the second half.
Munster had the bit between their teeth and they followed that up with another try. A lovely cross field kick from Crowley found Tom Farrell and the centre offloaded to John Hodnett who broke the tackle and powered over for a crucial try. Crowley’s touchline conversion hit the post and went over the crossbar as Munster took a 17-9 lead.
A Lozowski penalty brought it back to a one score game and Munster went into the final 10 minutes with a 17-12 lead.
Saracens dominated possession in those final 10 minutes but Munster kept finding answers to any questions which the English side posed as they held out for a deserved win.
Investec Champions Cup Round 3 Round-Up
Tadhg Beirne was awarded the Investec Player of the Match.
Munster are now in second in Pool 3, just one point behind Northampton Saints.
Munster take on the Saints next Saturday in Franklin’s Gardens in the final pool game.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Dian Bleuler (Ryan 65′), Niall Scannell (Barron 52′), Oli Jager (Archer 52′); Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O’Donoghue (Ahern 52′), Alex Kendellen (Hodnett 52′), Gavin Coombes (Gleeson 71′).
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Brian Gleeson.
