Munster came out trumps with five try bonus point win against last year’s champions Leinster.
After a strong opening 12 minutes Kate Flannery sent a 50:22 kick sailing into the sky. Leinster scrumhalf Ailsa Hughes regathered but was halted by winger Chisom Ugwueru who tackled her straight into touch.
A quick line out followed with a strong maul that sent hooker Beth Buttimer crashing over for Munster’s first try of the afternoon.
Flannery’s conversion dropped just short.
But Leinster came back swinging as Ailsa Hughes touched down for a try of her own in the 15th minute.
Leinster were over the try line again just five minutes later as Aoife Dalton crashed overed. Nikki Caughey sent her conversion attempt straight through the uprights.
But Munster never game up the fight with centre Enya Breen breaking the line and fending off nearly four tacklers. A few phases of play later saw Claire Bennett crash over for their second try of the afternoon.
Running into the sheds at half time Leinster lead by the smallest of margins with a score line of 12-14.
Chisom Ugwueru got the second half scoring underway as she crashed over in the 48th minute. Flannery sent the conversion just right of the posts.
Caitriona Finn from UL Bohs made her Munster Senior debut in the 49th minute as she replaced Kate Flannery at outhalf.
Munster were back on the score board once again in the 53rd minute as they were awarded a penalty try which also saw Leinster’s Aoife Moore sent to the bin.
Munster made their second round of replacements in the 58th minute as Lucia Linn replaced Stephanie Nunan and Ciara McLoughlin replaced Eilis Cahill.
But Munster were soon reduced to 14 themselves as Aoife Corey was sent to the bin in the 59th minute for a high tackle.
Kate Flannery returned to the field in the 63rd minute as Enya Breen was taken off.
A Leah Tarpey try in the 64th minute put Leinster back in the lead again with Jemma Farrell adding the extras.
A penalty for Munster in the 67th minute put them within touching distance with just over 10 minutes left on the clock.
Munster emptied the bench in the closing stages of the game as Claire Bennett, Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Jane Clohessy and Chisom Ugwueru were replaced by Annakate Cournane, Ciara O’Dwyer, Emma Dunican, Aoibhe O’Flynn and Maggie Boylan.
Leinster were almost over the try line once more in the 73rd minute but were held up by Muirne Wall.
Lucia Linn burst into action in the final five minutes of the game as she ripped the ball clean from Linda Djougang’s hands and took off towards the half way line.
After a few strong phases of attack last weeks hattrick hero Alana McInerney crashed over for the final score of the game.
Munster come away from the game as winners with a score line of 32-21 securing them the all important bonus point and top spot on the table.
Centre Enya Breen was named Vodafone Player Of The Match after a fantastic 60 minutes on the pitch.
Up next for the women’s squad is a trip to the west coast as they hit the road for Galway to take on Connacht in Dexcom Stadium next Saturday.
