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Munster are beaten by Scarlets

Jeremy Manning started at out-half for Munster on Sunday
Jeremy Manning started at out-half for Munster on Sunday

Llanelli kept up their early Magners League title challenge with a 25-12 bonus-point victory over Munster at Stradey Park.

Wings Dafydd James and Darren Daniel, prop Deacon Manu and full-back Barry Davies all crossed for tries as two virtual second-string sides battled out a poor contest.

The Scarlets used a slight advantage in the line-out to eke out a 10-9 half-time lead. But it was only in the final minutes that the Scarlets got away.

For Munster Jeremy Manning scored all their points with three penalties and a dropped goal.

Although the Scarlets had plenty of possession through the line-out it was Munster who broke the deadlock on 20 minutes through Manning's penalty.

But it was the only time the Heineken Cup champions were to lead in the first period. The Munstermen were not helped that both prop Darragh Hurley and centre Barry Murphy spurned golden try chances.

The Scarlets went in front just a minute later when outside half Ceiron Thomas sent wing James through midfield and under the posts. Thomas converted to give the home side a 7-3 advantage.
A finely struck dropped goal from Manning cut the Scarlets' lead to a point on 31 minutes.

Before the interval Thomas and Manning swapped penalties for the Scarlets to lead 10-9. That should have been a four-point advantage for the Welshmen but Thomas was wide with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The Scarlets began with a bang after the break with Manu crashing over from a catch-and-drive line-out on 42 minutes.

But the maul worked in Munster's favour as Manning kept Munster in touch with his third penalty as the Scarlets led 15-12 on 50 minutes.

Manning had a chance to draw the scores level on 76 minutes but he was wide with his 45-metre effort.

A dour affair was finally lit up by a 50-metre dash down the right touchline by Daniel to give the Scarlets their third try. And a bonus point was assured with an injury-time try for Davies.

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