Glasgow’s wretched start to the season continued, as again despite a bright start, they crumbled at key moments to leave with nothing.
After shown to be a soft touch in defence in the last two encounters against the Irish provinces, Glasgow reverted to type and stopped a familiar Munster maul-charge, but the next time the visitors went to touch, Billy Holland got himself over with relative ease from the maul drive.
Glasgow responded in style, a text-book play from the book of Toony, but rarely seen of late.
First-phase ball off the line-out went to Tommy Seymour in the middle of the park, he scythed past the Munster defence into the 22, and although his pass wide left went to ground, Robbie Nairn did well to pick up the slippery ball and feed Glenn Bryce in to finish in the left-corner.
Prior to Holland’s opening score, Nick Grigg had to be replaced by Brandon Thomson due to a head knock, and Thomson edged Warriors into the lead with a thumping penalty from half-way.
The young South African had taken something of a form slump last season after some bright came spots, so it was some nudge in gruelling conditions.
That was to be the only time the Warriors took the lead though, as the unbeaten Limerick-based side simply targeted Glasgow’s weaknesses, and profited at will.
Finnen Wycherley crossed the line from another maul to put Munster back in front, and despite a spell of pressure in the Munster half, Glasgow failed to add to the scoreboard.
Half-time: Glasgow Warriors 8 – 12 Munster
Given how the Munster maul had worked in the first half, Glasgow could’ve considered themselves lucky when Healy missed touch with the penalty, but a few minutes later he proved he’s far more accurate off the tee, and he put the Conference leaders further in front with a great kick.
Grant Stewart’s arrows had been a bit dodgy at the start, but he started finding his range and also utilising the giant Lewis Bean at the line-out.
Glasgow got numerous penalties in the danger-zone and Billy Holland went to the bin, and although Stewart quickly reduced the deficit, a touch of misfortune and then a yellow-card for captain Ryan Wilson, gave Munster the penalty.
They went for the line, Coombes crossed a few phases after the line-out, and just in case Glasgow hadn’t learned their lesson, Jean Kleyn got the bonus-point try via similar routes to rub salt in the wounds.
SRBlog Player of the Match: Seymour was looking dangerous before he had to be replaced – no replays of how he received his head knock were shown at the time – but it was the lesser knowns who provided the brightest sparks. Sean Kennedy probably just nicks it ahead of Glenn Bryce or Lewis Bean.
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)