Champions Cup: Munster 17-12 Saracens: Munster triumph after second half comeback to end Sarries' unbeaten European streak
Today at 08:52 AM
Munster edge past Saracens to come from behind to beat three-time Champions Cup winners 17-12 at Thomond Park. The game took a while to get going with both teams trading knock-ons and forward passes, the visitors leading 3-6 at the break.
The second half started similarly, with two further penalties, but two quick-fire Munster tries saw the hosts record a famous victory against Saracens.
It would be a scrappy start to the game with both teams failing to get a hold of the ball, both sides knocking the ball on a number of times.
However, the hosts would eventually take control with two Alex Lozowski penalties to put his side 0-6 up after some ill-discipline from the hosts.
Sarries would struggle to take their opportunities in the host 22' with Tom Willis and Liam Williams coming close to scoring.
The home side would hit back with a Jack Crowley penalty before he would nearly score a worldie of a try running the length of the field before dropping the ball on.
Saracens would start the second half in the same manner as the first Elliot Daly slotting a penalty from 40 metres to put the visitors 3-9 up.
Both sides would miss kicks from the tee, Fergus Burke and Crowley not able to send the ball through the posts.
Munster would get over the whitewash for the first time Dian Bleuler driving over from close range after some good work from the forward pack, and Crowley adding the extras to give the host the lead.
Replacement John Hodnett would send the home crowd crazy after he added another try following another Saracens handling error, thus giving the hosts a 17-9 lead.
Sarries would hit back with another penalty from Lozowski, but it wouldn't be enough as the English side fell short in Ireland.
MUNSTER RUGBY: 17
TRIES: 2 (Dian Bleuler, John Hodnett)
CONVERSIONS: 2 Jack Crowley (2)
PENALTIES: 1 Jack Crowley
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 0
RED CARDS: 0
15. Mike Haley 14. Calvin Nash 13. Tom Farrell 12. Rory Scannell 11. Shane Daly 10. Jack Crowley 9. Conor Murray 1. Gavin Coombes 2. Alex Kendellen 3. Jack O'Donoghue 4. Tadhg Beirne (C) 5. Fineen Wycherley 6. Oli Jager 7. Niall Scannell 8. Dian Bleuler
Replacements:
16. Diarmuid Barron 17. John Ryan 18. Stephen Archer 19. Tom Ahern 20. John Hodnett 21. Paddy Patterson 22. Billy Burns 23. Brian Gleeson.
SARACENS: 12
TRIES: 0
CONVERSIONS:0
PENALTIES: 4 (Fergus Burke (1) Alex Lozowski (2) Elliot Daly (1)
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 0
RED CARDS: 0
15. Elliot Daly 14. Liam Williams 13. Alex Lozowski 12. Nick Tompkins 11. Lucio Cinti 10. Fergus Burke 9. Ivan Van Zyl 1. Phil Brantingham 2. Jamie George 3. Marco Riccioni 4. Maro Itoje (C) 5. Harry Wilson 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez 7. Ben Earl 8. Tom Willis
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan 17. Eroni Mawi 18. Alec Clarey 19. Max Eke 20. Nathan Michelow 21. Gareth Simpson 22. Olly Hartley 23. Tobias Elliot
The post Champions Cup: Munster 17-12 Saracens: Munster triumph after second half comeback to end Sarries’ unbeaten European streak appeared first on Ruck.
