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Rugby

GALLERY: Munster's stunning run comes to a shuddering halt

Scarlets ended Munster's stunning winning run at Thomond Park on Friday evening as they ran ...



GALLERY: Munster's stunnin...
Rugby

GALLERY: Munster's stunning run comes to a shuddering halt

Scarlets ended Munster's stunning winning run at Thomond Park on Friday evening as they ran out 30-21 winners in Limerick.

Rassie Erasmus' side failed to muster a second-half score, despite scoring three tries in the opening 40 minutes of the game. 

Darren Sweetnam and Jaco Taute were among those who crossed during an impressive first half performance. Taute scored the home side's first score of night after Dan Jones had given the visiting side the lead from a penalty.

Bleyendaal and O'Callaghan linked up, before Conor Oliver could get the offload and Taute was on hand to put the home side ahead. Bleyendaal, one of the architects of the score, then converted.

Jones answered once again with a penalty before Sweetnam put some daylight between the sides. After the TMO ruled out a forward pass wide to the Munster man, Sweetnam fumbled the ball slightly but did well to hold on and cross for the try. Bleyendaal again stepped up for a wonderful conversion from a tight angle.

Oliver extended Munster's lead further before the break. A wonderful quick break from Rassie Erasmus' side picked holes in the Scarlets defence and Oliver was on hand to give them a sizable lead before half-time.

That was eaten away at after the break, Jones adding his third penalty of the evening on 51 minutes. Hadleigh Parkes then gave the visitors a real boost just before the hour mark, his neat chip and chase saw the Welsh side cross and Jones' kicking remained resolute to cut the gap to five points.

Fullback Johnny McNicholl was the next to cross for visitors to bring Scarlets back on level terms and Jones nudged them ahead with the extra two points.

Scarlets could smell blood in the water and with a two-point lead kicked to the corner. Tom Williams was on hand to score the try - converted again - and complete a remarkable comeback for the visitors within the space of 10 minutes.

Munster pushed hard for a score to get them back into the game but to no avail and in the dying minutes Francis Saili darted for the line but fumbled the ball and conceded a knock-on.

Elsewhere tonight, Leinster ran out 54-22 winners away to Newport Gwent Dragons. 

Munster’s Dave O’Callaghan and Scarlet’s Tom Price

Jaco Taute scores the first try of the evening at Thomond Park

Before Darren Sweetnam scores Munster's second to extend their lead

Johnny McNichols of Scarlets touches down for a try 

Scarlets players celebrate winning at Thomond Park for the first time in 14 years.

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