Munster close season with sluggish win over Borders

Borders 10 Munster 18

The warning signs for the Scots were posted in the opening minutes when only a forward pass prevented Anthony Horgan from running to the line. He persisted and, after an exchange of penalties, the winger cantered in from 30 metres.

Then number eight Anthony Foley ploughed over in the corner from a lineout for Munster’s second try, converted by Jeremy Staunton.

Ex-Lion and Scotland scrum-half Gary Armstrong was given a standing ovation as he limped off after 20 minutes of his last game before retiring.

Staunton added a second penalty after the restart but Munster got casual. Sititi thumped the ball upfield and Borders attacked in the 22 until centre Iain Berthinussen touched down.

When flanker Alan Quinlan was yellow-carded for a high tackle, it looked as if the Borders might just fight back.

But it wasn’t to be. Munster settled and came within a metre of a third try just before the final whistle.

BORDERS: G Morton; M Walker, I Berthinussen, K Utterson, S Cranston, T Vili, G Armstrong, G Cross, S Scott, B Douglas, G Weir, C Stewart, S MacLeod, K Brown, S Sititi. Replacements: I Farley for Armstrong (23); R Ford for Scott (58); C MacRae for Morton (65); A Johnston for Cross (73); A Davidson for Weir (76); J Dalziel for Brown (76).

MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan, J Staunton, E Reddan, M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D Pusey, P O’Connell, A Quinlan, D Wallace, A Foley. Replacements: M Prendergast for Reddan (66); F Roche for Flannery (69); S Keogh for Quinlan (76); G McIlwham for Hayes (78); T Hogan for Pusey (78); R Callaghan for Prendergast (79).

Referee: Neil Ballard (Wales).