Scarlets vs Munster - Playoff battle heating up

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Written by Rugby Dreamer

The Scarlets had only lost once at home in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 this season. They had also lost the last 14 games in all competitions they had played in against the day’s opponents, Munster. Both facts were something for the local supporters, who had turned out in large numbers, to equally celebrate and despair.

Munster, often incorrectly perceived to be an aging side, were still trying to cope with the smart of being knocked out of the Heineken Cup by a fellow province. Could they then handle losing to a team that for the last five years they have had such a strangle hold on?

The match was set to be a nail biter, with both teams evenly matched at the injury ravaged end of the season, and both vying for a play-off spot.
The game began quietly enough, with the official of the day, Alain Rolland, making his presence felt, which was to set the tone for the rest of the match.

It took just over ten minutes for the first points to appear. Munster had been pressuring the Scarlets deep in their own 22, until a crunching tackle helped enforce a turnover. The Scarlets then ran a sublime length of the pitch try, with the ball going through the hands of at nine Scarlets players, to send wing Sean Lamont over in the corner.

This seemed to be the signal for the floodgates to open, as within a few minutes Munster had scored a try of their own, coming from a Scarlets error (to be a theme of the evening) from their lineout in their 22, to send Ryan crashing through some very weak defending.

Seventeen minutes on the clock and it was 7-7, with very little separating either side.

The rest of the first half, apart from one gleaming move from Munster that sent Zebo over (with the aid from the TMO), continued to be a turgid, stop-start affair. The scrums failed to function and with Munster playing as Munster do and smothering the breakdown, ignoring the need to release the tackled player, and the officials happy to let them. The Scarlets seemed incapable of helping themselves though, where even any half chances were snuffed out by their own unforced errors.

An exchange of penalties saw the first half end 10 – 17 to the visitors, although their lead was slightly overshadowed by Tommy O’Donnell having to be stretchered off the pitch, which looked to hopefully be a precautionary measure.

The second half saw an improvement from the home side, and with the visitors sticking to their spoiling game plan. With teams so evenly matched, in what was such a key encounter, were given no chance to express themselves in what was turning out to be an increasingly frustrating encounter. Munster offered little to nothing, whilst the Scarlets kept trying to apply pressure but to no avail.

It wasn’t until the 54th minute that the Scarlets notched more points on the board to make it 10 – 20.

A few minutes later, a brilliant angle cut by backrow Aaron Shingler, led to an excellent try, after the Scarlets had been doggedly trying to move up field. Priestland converted.

What followed were periods of Scarlets pressure that failed time and again through poor handling, poor control at the breakdown and poor kicking, to be converted into points. It was not until the 71st minute that they managed to level the scores to make it a nervous last ten minutes for the Scarlets faithful, who had remained all match in good voice, despite the exasperating nature of the game.

Could the Scarlets finally overcome their fierce rivals Munster and put themselves in with a chance of making the play-offs? Could Munster grind out yet another win to keep their play-off chance alive? Neither side had been spectacular, or allowed to be, in this match, yet the commitment and ferocity from both sides was clear to see.

Ten minutes of extreme Scarlets pressure in the end, with Munster doing their best to spoil every facet of play, led to no penalties nor even an attempt at a drop goal, and saw the match finishing as an incredibly unsatisfying draw. Neither team looked happy; the Scarlets fans for the first time fell silent.

Munster still limp on towards the end of the season with the prospect of silverware to play for. The Scarlets look to be ending another season just shy of the top four, again having to live with the label of being the “nearly” side, with no one but themselves to blame. The disconsolate look of apology full back Liam Williams flashed to the supporters in the North Stand as he applauded his thanks, said far more than any words could.

The biggest disappointment though was that despite some shining displays from Warren, Shingler, Zebo and Dineen, the game wasn’t allowed to flow. Two key aspects, the breakdown and the scrum, were not under the control of the match official, who showed remarkable lack of feeling towards the running of a game. Often after realising his mistake with one call, it appeared that Rolland would immediately award the next penalty to the previously wrongly penalised team, in the appearance of making amends, with calls at some times that left both sets of players, baffled. Whilst the result itself was a disappointment to the 10,741 supporters who had made their way to Parc Y Scarlets, it was the manner in which the game was allowed (or not allowed) to be played, that truly left such a frustrating feeling.

Full time score: 20 - 20

Attendance: 10,741

Man of the Match: Adam Warren

My Man of the Match: Aaron Shingler

Scarlets: Liam Williams, G North, A Warren, S Jones, S Lamont, R Priestland, G Davies, R Jones, M Rees capt, D Manu, S Timani, D Day, A Shingler, J Turnbull, B Morgan.

Replacements: T Knoyle for G Davies (61), S Gardner for R. Jones (74), E Phillips for M Rees (61), P John for Manu (65), K Murphy for Timani (55).
Munster: F Jones; L O'Dea; J Murphy; L Mafi; S Zebo; I Keatley; C Murray; D Kilcoyne; M Sherry; BJ Botha; M O'Driscoll; P O'Connell capt; D Ryan; T O'Donnell; P O'Mahony.

Replacements: I Dineen for Jones (65), T O'Leary for Murray (61), S Archer for Botha (71), D O'Callaghan for O'Driscoll (67), P Butler for O'Donnell (38).
Not Used: D Varley, W du Preez, S Deasy.
Att: 10,741

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris and David Jones (Both WRU)

Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU)

TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)

http://v2journal.com/scarlets-v-munster.html

Score?

eirebilly wrote:If you guys can keep me informed of the score i would be much appreciated. None of the many links from T is showing the match

7 - 0 to Scarlets

Brilliant try from their own 22 finished by Lamont.

Munster not making their tackles so eventually Rolland has to intervene and give them a penalty. O'Gara duly obliges with a kick to touch in the Scarletss 22.

15 minuets gone. 7-0 to the Welsh side.

Thanks lads, much appreciated.

Scarlets defence is weak

Mick ODriscoll drives over by himself from 5m out after a lineout

7 - 7

17min

Rolland didn't wait long. The Frenchman allows Ryan to barge his way over for a try. Keatley should convert. And does.

7-7.

Pot Hale wrote:Munster not making their tackles so eventually Rolland has to intervene and give them a penalty. O'Gara duly obliges with a kick to touch in the Scarletss 22.

15 minuets gone. 7-0 to the Welsh side.

Doing a good impression of Keatley though.

Scarlets give Donacha Ryan a try as soft as an 80 year old's mickey. 7 7

Pot Hale wrote:Munster not making their tackles so eventually Rolland has to intervene and give them a penalty. O'Gara duly obliges with a kick to touch in the Scarletss 22.

15 minuets gone. 7-0 to the Welsh side.

O'Gara isnt playing, its I Keatley

Can't kick and can't defend! Best outside half in Wales? Surely not!

Pot Hale wrote:Rolland didn't wait long. The Frenchman allows O'Mahony to barge his way over for a try. Keatley should convert. And does.

7-7.

Have you got a random player generator there?

Come on Munster

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Munster not making their tackles so eventually Rolland has to intervene and give them a penalty. O'Gara duly obliges with a kick to touch in the Scarletss 22.

15 minuets gone. 7-0 to the Welsh side.

Doing a good impression of Keatley though.

Scarlets give Donacha Ryan a try as soft as an 80 year old's mickey. 7 7

Was it Ryan - can only get Welsh commentary and they said O'Driscoll at around the time the try was being scored, so I thought it was (couldn't really see as it happened very quickly and I wasnt concentrating - easy try)

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Rolland didn't wait long. The Frenchman allows O'Mahony to barge his way over for a try. Keatley should convert. And does.

7-7.

Have you got a random player generator there?

All we know for sure is that O'Driscoll/Ryan/POM scored

More poor defence by the Scarlets

Zebo try refered to the TMO (try for me)

Try awarded

7 - 12

Conversion to come

Hey all, any chance of a PM with a link? Thanks!!!

Scarlett's looking lively and attacking. Rolland blows for a penalty to Munster who kick it touch back to the 22.

They collect and Zebo goes through. Going to the TMO. Did Zebo lose control? Looks like it. But it's given.

Keatley lines it up ten metres to the right of the post. And nails it.

7-14 to Munster.

Defo Ryan. He's playing 6. And that was defo Zebo 7 14

7 - 14

Scarlets are very poor, could easily be 0 - 14 if it wasn't for a lucky bounce.

wolfball wrote:Hey all, any chance of a PM with a link? Thanks!!!

http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_live.shtml

Not great for dreamer then

Pathetic effort from the Scarlets, so much chest thumping about that lot taking over as Wales best region. they can only raise their game for one off occasions, and they are hopeless against Irish teams.

They can only raise their game to play the Ospreys.

AlynDavies wrote:Pathetic effort from the Scarlets, so much chest thumping about that lot taking over as Wales best region. they can only raise their game for one off occasions, and they are hopeless against Irish teams.

They can only raise their game to play the Ospreys.

And Northampton in Franklin Gardens - I thought that was a real achievement, but considering what Munster did at Franklin Gardens im not so sure.

Preistland is really playing awfully at the moment - though I hate it, Hook could be a better option...:L

Keatley penalty

7 - 17

27min

Lovely run by Howlett down the wing. But Simon Easterby tackles him into touch. Priestman looking knobbly for the Welsh.

And As Scarlets look to take it upfield, Rolland duly obliges again for Munster with a penalty in front of the posts. O'Gara/Keatleyknocks it over.

Scarlets 7 - 17 Rolland

Pot Hale wrote:Lovely run by Howlett down the wing. But Simon Easterby tackles him into touch. Priestman looking knobbly for the Welsh.

And As Scarlets look to take it upfield, Rolland duly obliges again for Munster with a penalty in front of the posts. O'Gara/Keatleyknocks it over.

Scarlets 7 - 17 Rolland

Hahaha touche

Penalty Preistland

10 - 17

Pot Hale wrote:Lovely run by Howlett down the wing. But Simon Easterby tackles him into touch. Priestman looking knobbly for the Welsh.

And As Scarlets look to take it upfield, Rolland duly obliges again for Munster with a penalty in front of the posts. O'Gara/Keatleyknocks it over.

Scarlets 7 - 17 Rolland

Ah just admit you fecked up and stop trying to make out you did it on purpose.

10 17 Conversion by Phil Bennet

Is it my imagination or do I see Zebo puffing already? Hardly made it through for that grubber kick just now.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Lovely run by Howlett down the wing. But Simon Easterby tackles him into touch. Priestman looking knobbly for the Welsh.

And As Scarlets look to take it upfield, Rolland duly obliges again for Munster with a penalty in front of the posts. O'Gara/Keatleyknocks it over.

Scarlets 7 - 17 Rolland

Ah just admit you fecked up and stop trying to make out you did it on purpose.

10 17 Conversion by Phil Bennet

Course I did. Mea culpae all round.

Pot Hale wrote:Is it my imagination or do I see Zebo puffing already? Hardly made it through for that grabber kick just now.

Looking very pale too.

Rolland awards another penalty to the Welsh! He's just teasing them.

Priestley manages to hit a spectator in Row G, Seat 34 that had been annoying him.

10-17 still.

How do Irish teams constantly get away with holding a player around the neck??????!!! The shingler turnover came from it

Elvis Priestly. Rubbish kicker.

Scarlets master plan to remove the Os from Munster seems to be working.

Tommy O'Donnell will have to be stretchered off.

Butler to replace him.

Poor aul TOD. How bad are Munster's back row injuries.

sheephead wrote:How do Irish team constantly get away with holding a player around the neck??????!!! The shingler turnover came from it

It's what happens when you let the Irish run the league, any time you get an Irish team playing they get a Irish ref, always away and mostly at home.

We're so used to them at the Liberty stadium we opened a traveller camp up across the road so they can feel at home!

Zeeeeboooo running rings round North here. Feel sorry for young George this could really knock the lads confidence...........

I see Connacht managed A comeback with try from Ah You and a last minute penalty to sneak the victory against Aironi. 19-16.

Pot Hale wrote:Scarlets master plan to remove the Os from Munster seems to be working.

Tommy O'Donnell will have to be stretchered off.

Butler to replace him.

Without their O's they are powerless

I love playing the Welsh, even if you beat them by 50 points, they'll still give out about the ref. Munster doing alright, we look a lot better in attack with Keatley. Scarlets took their first try very well, good hands Munster just didn't have the numbers in defence. The first Munster try was absolutely pathetic defending.

AlynDavies wrote:

sheephead wrote:How do Irish team constantly get away with holding a player around the neck??????!!! The shingler turnover came from it

It's what happens when you let the Irish run the league, any time you get an Irish team playing they get a Irish ref, always away and mostly at home.

We're so used to them at the Liberty stadium we opened a traveller camp up across the road so they can feel at home!

Rolland is French - according to every Welshman I talked to after the RWC.

wales606 wrote:Without their O's they are powerless

Yeah they get a win against us and they have had a good season, regardless of any other considerations!

they don;t like O's

Good work by big MOD there. That guy has been a great servant to Munster and Ireland, really underrated. He's defo got another season or two in him.

Pot Hale wrote:Rolland is French - according to every Welshman I talked to after the RWC.

Ah but he's on the Irish wage bill, so he's Irish today!

Anyway I don't mind if you beat the Scarlets by 90 points, Munster and the Ospreys are playing each other in the play offs and we've beaten you twice in the league already, and Leinster too!

Pot Hale wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:

sheephead wrote:How do Irish team constantly get away with holding a player around the neck??????!!! The shingler turnover came from it

It's what happens when you let the Irish run the league, any time you get an Irish team playing they get a Irish ref, always away and mostly at home.

We're so used to them at the Liberty stadium we opened a traveller camp up across the road so they can feel at home!

Rolland is French - according to every Welshman I talked to after the RWC.

It's a bit like when English teams do well in Europe it's because they are battle hardened from their superior league. When they do badly it is because we don't take our league seriously and rest our players.

Just spoke yo braders and he off down West to sort out these chokers. Remember what he did thomond?? He did his party piece then your lot moaned about the ref. So its swings and roundabouts!

Half time as Ryan runs into touch.

The Welsh team is better than expected. Only 7 points behind.

Alyn sounds like your the one that think a successful season is beating an Irish team despite being out of the HC in the groups.

rodders wrote:Good work by big MOD there. That guy has been a great servant to Munster and Ireland, really underrated. He's defo got another season or two in him.

COINCIDENCE?!