Munster Steal Victory

Munster 22 - 21 Celtic Warriors Thomond Park Stadium   Att: 3,500 Referee: Andrew Ireland Friday 31st October 2003, 19:30

Celtic Warriors coach Lynn Howells could only watch from the sidelines as his side in frantic defence strayed offside as the game clock ticked down.

The scene was set for Munster's leading scorer to steal the match, and Jeremy Staunton held his nerve to slot over the winning kick from 25m. Thomond Park exploded with relief. Munster have now moved into the top half of the table. The game began well for the current Celtic champions, Staunton landed an early penalty and then converted Mike Mullins' 15th try for a 10-0 lead. But the Warriors hit back on the half-hour with a well-constructed try scored by prop Phil Booth near the posts and Jenkins converted for 10-7. Staunton and Jenkins then exchanged penalties and Munster were 13-10 in front at the break and playing into the strong wind. Within 90 seconds of the re-start the Warriors levelled with a Jenkins penalty only for Staunton to edge the Irish in front again with a successful kick at goal. This only served to stir the Warriors. When Shaun James set up speedy wing Aisea Havili for the Warriors' second try, the Welsh were in front 18-16. But true to the form of the match Munster's noses were soon in front once more when Staunton kicked a penalty after 53 minutes, and, as the ding-dong battle continued, Jenkins edged the Warriors back in front at 21-19 three minutes later. Fine defence from both sides meant there was no further scoring until Staunton emerged as the Munster hero with his match winning penalty

Munster V Celtic Warriors   P D C T Pos Player Player Pos T C D P   Dominic Crotty 15 Emyr Lewis Martin McPhail 14 Aisea Havili Kaufusi 1 Mike Mullins 13 Shaun James Jason Holland 12 Lee Thomas Mossie Lawlor 11 Gareth Wyatt 1 5 1 Jeremy Staunton 10 Neil Jenkins 1 3 Eoin Reddan 9 Paul John Simon Kerr 1 Phil Booth 1 Andy Long 2 Matthew Rees Frank Roche 3 Chris Horsman Trevor Hogan 4 Deiniol Jones Stephen Keogh 5 Nathan Budgett Denis Leamy 6 Mark Lewis Colm McMahon 7 Cory Harris Jim Williams 8 Richard Parks Replacements James Blaney 16 Christian Balshen Eugene McGovern 17 Geraint Morris Donal Sheehan 18 Huw Alford Tom Hayes 19 Maama Molitika Frank Murphy 20 Allen Chilten Conrad O'Sullivan 21 Matthew Nuthall Clem Casey 22 Richard Mustoe Penalty Tries 0 0

All Pictures: ©  http://www.inpho.ie/, Huw Evans Agency,  Martin Stuart