WATCH: Munster make hard work of Zebre but keep pace with Glasgow

Johann van Graan’s side did just about enough to claim the bonus point over the bottom placed Italian side with a 31-12 win which sees them keep pace with the Glasgow Warriors who also picked up five match points in their clash with the Cheetahs.

Munster suffered a torrid opening half with saw them cough up two poor tries and saw bottom side Zebre with dominate territory and possession.

The Italians opened the Munster defence in the 9th minute after a sustained period of pressure saw James Elliott over in the corner for a well worked score.

It got even better for Michael Bradley’s side as 8 minute later Roberto Tenga pounced on an uncharacteristic Mike Haley mistake to score the Italians second try with the conversion making it 12-0 to the visitors.

Zebre could have extended the lead on 35 minutes after Munster were penalised for side entry at the truck but Carlo Canna’s kick was wide left. Three minutes later and Canna missed an even easier kick after a Munster penalty was reversed following some indiscipline from Ably Mathewson.

Munster needed something before the break for fire up the crowd and to cut into a 12 point deficit that the visitors were fully deserving of. A line out maul 5 metres from the Zebre line would provide the platform, Jeremy Loughman would apply the finish. Hanrahan’s conversion came back of the post but it was a start and Munster would heading the dressing room trailing 12-5.

The second half was poor enough fare too until the 54th minute when another lineout maul saw Rhys Marshall crash over at the tail. The newly introduced Bleyendaal slotted a fine touchline conversion to make it 12-12.

Cloete saw ten minutes in the bin for a challenge that hardly warranted a penalty yet alone a yellow. Canna’s kick came back off the upright and Munster cleared the danger. It meant that by the 60th minute the Italians had left 11 points after them. The question was, could Munster punish them?

64 minutes and a clever kick through forced Zebre into touch 7 metres from their own line. It was another lineout platform for Munster. The Italians were penalised at the maul but this time Munster put with on ball and some wonderful hands from Bleyendaal and Haley put Sweetnam in at the corner.

The conversion was just short but crucially Munster led 17-12 and had three tries on the board. By now Munster had figured out the recipe to punish Zebre, kick behind, create attacking lineout platforms and let the forwards do the rest.

65 minutes on the clock and Munster grabbed a 4th and bonus point try. Another clever kick, Zebre forced into touch and Niall Scannell on the end of the lineout maul for the try with Bleyendaal adding the conversion.

24-12 up and Munster could now breathe a sigh of relief. Mike Haley topped off the night with a 5th try for Munster and Bleyendaal added the extras to make the final score Munster 31-12.

They would keep pace with Glasgow but know that huge improvement will be needed for next week’s crucial Heineken Cup 1/4 Final in Edinburgh.