URC result: Bulls defence holds off Munster in Ireland

The Bulls held on against a determined Munster attack to seal a 16–13 win in their United Rugby Championship (URC) match at Thomond Park, Limerick, on Saturday.

There was almost nothing separating the sides in Ireland as they contested most areas of play fairly evenly, and the half-time score was 10–10.

It was another scintillatingly close URC match after the Sharks snatched an 18–17 win in Edinburgh and the Stormers pipped Connacht 34–29 in Cape Town this weekend. Only the Lions lost by some margin (42–31 against Benetton).

Bulls, Munster neck and neck

The Bulls said they would work on their line-outs and tempo after their 34–28 loss to Edinburgh in their Challenge Cup quarter-final last week. They were better in these areas, but Munster targeted them elsewhere.

The Irish side were strong at the breakdown, counter-rucking effectively and stealing the ball at key moments. Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom, however, successfully stole one or two balls to even things out.

Munster were perhaps the better team under the high ball, claiming most contestable kicks, particularly in the first half.

Game goes down to the wire in Limerick

Each side secured a penalty kick in the first half hour, but it was a converted try from loose forward Marcell Coetzee in the 15th minute that gave the Bulls scoreboard pressure heading towards the break.

But as the first half’s final minutes played out, the Bulls made mistakes near their try line and Munster took two quick-tap penalties. They were rewarded when fullback Thaakir Abrahams scored a converted overlap try to make it 10–10 at the break.

The second half started much the same way, Goosen and Crowley’s penalty kicks cancelling each other out. Munster were not able to capitalise on a Bulls yellow card (Embrose Papier) at this time.

The score was 13–13 at the start of the final quarter as the teams rang the changes. But neither side could capitalise on the other’s mistakes.

Keagan Johannes finally put the Bulls ahead with a penalty kick from about 50m after 72 minutes.

As the minutes ticked by, neither side were able to break the other’s defence, though Munster pushed for a long period at the death.

Scorers

Bulls: Tries – Marcell Coetzee. Conversions – Johan Goosen 1/1. Penalties – Goosen 2/2, Keagan Johannes 1/2. Drop-goals – Goosen 0/1.

Munster: Tries – Thaakir Abrahams. Conversions – Jack Crowley 1/1. Penalties – Crowley 2/2.