MUNSTER 6 CORNISH PIRATES 10:CORNISH PIRATES made their trip to Clonmel a winning one in a hard-fought match last night.
Munster, playing their first game in this season’s competition, looked as if they would hang on for a win, but after sustained pressure near the line the Pirates were awarded a penalty try in the second minute of injury time.
Outhalf Rob Cook was on target from the conversion to put the icing on the cake.
In a game dominated by a strong breeze the Pirates, who played with the elements in that opening half, led at the break by 3-0, courtesy of a Cook penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Munster defended well in that opening period and it took a timely interception by the Pirates’ Rhodri McAtee to keep them out as Scott Deasy looked to create a try-scoring opportunity.
Munster equalised 15 minutes into the second half with a Deasy penalty, and another put them 6-3 ahead five minutes later.
They squandered a great chance to extend the lead when the ball slipped from Roan O’Mahony’s grasp as he raced onto a pass from captain Billy Holland within sight of the line, and they were made to pay with that late winning surge.
SCORERS – Munster – Pens: Scott Deasy 2. Cornish Pirates – Pen: Rob Cook. Con: Cook. Pen Try.
ULSTER 39
DONCASTER KNIGHTS 7
ULSTER RAVENS opened their British and Irish Cup campaign with a thumping win over a limited Knights outfit at a weather-beaten Deramore.
Tries from Adam Macklin, Michael Allen, Chris Cochrane, Peter Nelson and Chris Farrell brought the Ravens a bonus point win.
Paddy Jackson kicked 12 points in an impressive showing from the outhalf.
The Ravens just had too much firepower for the visitors and, after leading 18-7 at the break, they pushed on with three more tries in the second half.
SCORERS– Ulster: Tries: Macklin, Allen, Cochrane, Whitten, Farrell. Cons: Jackson 3, McKinney. Pens: Jackson 2.
Doncaster:Tries: Gidlow. Cons: McLlwaine.
