No bonus but Reds stay on track

MUNSTER’S challenge for the Magners League title remains very much on course after Saturday night’s 25-10 defeat of Connacht at Thomond Park but if they happen to be caught at the post, they may well rue the failure to take a bonus point from this game.

A resolute Connacht side restricted them to three tries as a number of gilt-edged chances were scorned while apparent indecision right at the end saw them finish the game with 14 players. Denis Leamy retired as a precautionary measure in the 77th minute and it looked as if David Wallace was coming in as a replacement. However, he resumed his seat and for a scrum close to the opposition line, winger Ian Dowling was pressed into service as a flanker.

But Connacht stole the ball on the Munster put-in, cleared their lines and finished the remainder of the game on the offensive. The European champions, of course, are still red-hot favourites for the title given that they are eleven points ahead of both Ospreys, who admittedly have a game in hand, and Leinster. Their remaining three matches are against the Scarlets at Musgrave Park next Friday, the Blues at Cardiff Arms Park on May 8 and Ospreys at Thomond on May 16.