Holders Munster Rugby back to winning ways in URC with victory over Stormers

MUNSTER Rugby got back to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship after securing a hard fought 10-3 victory over the DHL Stormers in front of an official attendance of 15,044 at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

The repeat of last season's URC final turned into a real arm wrestle of a contest in difficult wet and blustery conditions. Defences held sway through the vast majority of a hugely physical contest.

A slippery ball made for difficult handling conditions for both sides who were guilty of committing a good number of errors.

It was an important win for Munster coming eight days after their disappointing defeat away to Ulster and a week before the URC holders travel to Dublin to face great rivals Leinster next Saturday evening at the Aviva Stadium, 6.30pm.

Munster laid the foundation for this victory in the opening half after which they enjoyed a more than useful 10-0 advantage. Jack Crowley's 13th minute penalty was crucially added to by Edwin Edogbo's try on the stroke of half-time.

Man of the Match Crowley also added the extras.

The Stormers, boosted by an impressive scrum, provided resolute opposition throughout. Their only reward on the scoreboard was a 45th minute penalty from centre Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

The visitors' were also held up twice over the Munster tryline in the game.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Scott Buckley, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (CAPT), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes Replacements: Chris Moore, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, Jack O'Donoghue, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen.

DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Ben Loader, Ruhan Nel, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Leolin Zas, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Paul de Wet, Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche (CAPT), Ruben van Heerden, Gary Porter, Willie Engelbrecht,  Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Ali Vermaak, Brok Harris, Adre Smith, Keke Morabe, Herschel Jantjies, Clayton Blommetjies, Angelo Davids.

Referee: Sam Grove-White