Bulls edge out Munster in thrilling URC encounter

Brian Gleeson of Munster is tackled by Johan Grobbelaar of Bulls Tries: Papier 2, Moodie, Jooste Cons: Pollard 4 Pens: Pollard 2 Tries: O'Brien, Ahern 2, O'Connor, Edogbo Cons: Crowley 3 Munster fell 34-31 to The Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a thrilling nine-try United Rugby Championship encounter in Pretoria on Saturday. The visitors scored first but were behind 14-7 at the break, then the second half was a back-and-forth affair that ultimately saw the Irish province come away with two losing bonus points, which could prove crucial in their push for a play-off place. Clayton McMillan's side lost 45-0 to the Sharks in the first match of their South African trip last weekend and have now suffered six defeats in their 14 matches to date.

Munster came out on the wrong side of the result despite scoring one more try than their opponents, Tom Ahern grabbing two of his side's scores and Embrose Papier crossing twice for the home side. The first quarter in the oppressive Bloemfontein heat was one dominated by the defences. The Bulls scrum was looking ominously powerful, particularly loose-head Gerhard Steenkamp who lifted the sizeable frame of Michael Ala'alatoa off the ground at a set-piece that led to a penalty budged into the corner.

However, Munster survived after some good defence forced Willie Le Roux into a spillage. Munster opened the scoring on the 20-minute mark when they took advantage of a penalty deep in Bulls territory. After good work from the pack, Sean O'Brien was sent over in the left corner after a looping pass from Alex Kendellen.

Jack Crowley added the extras for a seven-point lead. The visitors lost Ireland wing Calvin Nash after he failed an HIA and 10 minutes later when they were undone by a bit of individual brilliance from Bulls scrum-half Papier. He picked off the back of a maul on the halfway line and scorched away from the red shirts in defence, completing his score with a swan dive under the posts for an easy conversion for Handre Pollard to level the game.