Cardiff struggle to beat weakened Munster

Cardiff 22 Munster 13

Cardiff Blues won their opening game for the first time since the Celtic League – now the Magners League – was set up, but they made heavy weather of it against weakened opposition.

Munster’s last trip to Wales saw them win the Heineken Cup at the Millennium stadium next door, but, with the Irish Rugby Union insisting their summer tourists take an extended rest, only three of the starting line-up against Biarritz began this match.

But no Munster side lacks spirit and some combative tackling kept the Blues at bay, forcing them to settle for a Nick Robinson penalty after 10 minutes of territorial dominance.

Opposite number Jeremy Manning responded with a kick of his own, but the Blues were in control and should have scored at least two first-half tries.

Lock Rob Sidoli burst through to the posts, but only after a team-mate had illegally impeded a would-be tackler, while wing Chris Czekaj and number eight Xavier Rush each failed to hold on to passes with the line at their mercy.

Munster centre John Kelly plundered a loose ball to spark a move which took the visitors into the Blues’ 22 for the first time.

But the home side had most of the possession and only a last ditch tackle by Munster’s scrum-half Tomas O’Leary denied rampaging hooker Rhys Thomas.

Two late penalties by Robinson put the Blues ahead at the break, but Manning pulled three points back before the home-side finally crossed the try-line to give a crowd of 8,687 something to cheer.

With Mike Phillips trapped in a ruck, flanker Martyn Williams played scrum-half before centre Marc Stcherbina dummied through to send Czekaj over by the flag.

Flanker Scott Morgan just had the legs to beat the cover defence to the same corner before Munster’s troubles were compounded when replacement prop Tim Ryan - on for just 30 seconds – was sent to the sin-bin.

Namesake Donnacha Ryan saw yellow as well, with Robinson punishing Munster further by kicking the resultant penalty.

Tim Ryan was hardly back in the fray when he crossed for a consolation score for the Irish province, improved by Manning.