Warriors (29) overcome Munster (25) at Sardis Road
By Dai
April 4 2004
The Warriors made a return to Sardis Road on Friday nght to face irish province Munster. For a full match report plus team details read on.
The Warriors suffered a couple of setbacks before the game began with both Gareth Thomas and Dafydd James ruled out. This prompted changes in the team with Shaun James coming into the centre and Gareth Wyatt taking a place on the wing.
A large crowd of between 4000 and 6000 (My estimate is 5000) gathered at Sardis Road in preparation for this exciting battle which started in disappointing fashion for the home team. Hard hits went in from Jonny Bryant and Ceri Sweeney early on with the Warriors signaling their intent to play a physical game but within 2 minutes of the game they found themselves behind thanks to a Jason Holland penalty as a result of the Warriors straying offside.
Moments later things got much worse for the Warriors as Munster set up a good attacking platform in the home 22 and a neat loop around created a gap in the defence for Jason Holland to touchdown. Holland added the conversion which put Munster into a 10 - 0 lead.
Things then looked to be going from bad to worse for the Warriors with both Paul O'Connell and Anthony Horgan coming close to scoring - Excellent defensive work from Richard Mustoe resulted in O'Connell being held up and only a knock on inches from the line prevented Horgan from touching down.
However, the Warriors then sparked into life and after advancing upfield, illegal use of the boot by Donncha O'Callaghan led to him spending 10 minutes in the sin bin. The resulting penalty was kicked to touch and from the lineout, prop Gethin Jenkins, back in his more familiar position of loosehead powered over for his first try of the season. Sweeney added the conversion and moments later struck over a penalty to bring the scores level at 10 - 10.
Munster still looked deadly in attack though and after some good passing, Mike Mullins was able to put Anthony Horgan over in the corner to take Munster back in front. Holland couldn't add the conversion but Sweeney had better luck with his kicking - despite goal kicking expert Neil Jenkins being on the field a a blood replacement, Sweeney was able to successfully put over 2 penalties before half time to give the Warriors a 16 - 15 lead. The lead could have been more but on the stroke of half time Cory Harris was unlucky to lose control of the ball as he dived over the tryline.
At the start of the second half neither side took full control of the game but on 50 minutes a moment of brilliance from the Munster backs led to Christian Cullen scoring his first Munster try. Jason Holland was able to add the extras this time and he also struck over a penalty to give Munster a 25 - 16 lead with 20 minutes to go.
20 minutes was all the Warriors needed though to grind out a win. The Warriors pack which had dominated all night had a 5 metre scrum on 60 minutes and using their forward dominance they were able to advance over the Munster line leaving number eight Richard Bryan with the task of touching the ball down. Sweeney added the conversion to put the Warriors only 2 points behind.
Richard Parks was harshly sent to the sin bin on 65 minutes and at this time many people in the crowd thought that the Warriors had blew their chance of a win - however, it was to be the Warriors night as two penalties from Sweeney in the last couple of minutes gave them a much needed victory and lifts their prospects of finishing in a Heineken Cup qualifying place.
Three wins from three at Sardis Road for the Warriors now but many people are still unsure if Sardis Road will be the venue for a future Warriors game - it is important for all supporters to show their support for the Warriors at both venues rather than just the one if the Warriors are to be a dominant force in Celtic and European rugby as it was the 16th man, the crowd, that helped the Warriors to this victory - similar levels of support will be required when a rejuvenated Blues team visit the Brewery Field on 8th May.
Warriors Starting XV: K Morgan, G Wyatt, S James, J Bryant, R Mustoe, C Sweeney, G Cooper, G Jenkins, M Rees, C Horsman, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, R Parks, C Harris, R Bryan.
Replacements: M Davies, M Jones, D Jones, R Jones, S Martens, N Jenkins, A Havili.
Munster Starting XV: C Cullen, J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, A Horgan, J Holland, E Reddan, F Roche, J Flanery, G McIlwham, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, J Williams (capt), D Wallace, A Foley.
Replacements: M Cahill, R Callaghan, D Pusey, S Keogh, F Murphy, M Lawlor, S Payne.
Referee: Andy Ireland (Scotland).