In the end it was Munster's ability to turn possession and territory into points that proved to be the crucial factor and they needed only a couple of minutes to open the scores.

Hooker Denis Fogarty showed good strength to hold off two challenges before crashing over for the opening try, that was converted by Jeremy Manning.

In response, Reivers' Calum McRae hit the upright with his first penalty attempt but was on target with his second but that score was cancelled out by a 35m effort from Manning when the hosts were penalised for obstruction.

MacRae then notched three more to his personal tally before Munster demoralised the home support with two tries in quick succession.

Fogarty grabbed his second from a lineout with the help of his pack then former All Black Christian Cullen marked his comeback from injury with an opportunist score.

Manning converted both but the Reivers remained in tuch following a try from Stuart Moffat after some good work from Nicky Walker that was converted by McRae.

There was still time before the break for Manning to ensure they led 27-13 at the break.

Reivers rallied again after the re-start with Simon Danielli notching a 45-metre score with the half only a couple of minutes old.

But any hopes of a comeback were all but snuffed out by futher scores for Munster from David Wallace and Ian Dowling, both of which were converted by replacement Ronan O'Gara.

Borders grabbed the final score through James King with MacRae converting but it was too little, too late.