Lansdowne exact revenge on Young Munster

Lansdowne 37 Young Munster 17

Scorers: Lansdowne: Tries: Ron Boucher, Craig Ronaldson, Cian Aherne 2, Mark Roche; Cons: Craig Ronaldson 3; Pens: Craig Ronaldson 2

Young Munster: Tries: Darragh O’Neill, Hugh McGrath; Cons: Mike Prendergast 2; Pen: Shane O’Leary

Lansdowne lost to Young Munster in December and they exacted full revenge here on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch.

There are now 20 points between these sides in the Division 1A table and it looks like the title is Lansdowne’s to lose at this point.

Once again out-half Craig Ronaldson shone for the headquarters club, scoring their third try before half-time and kicking 12 points.

22-3 down at the break, Young Munster rallied with converted tries from Darragh O’Neill and Hugh McGrath but Lansdowne also had the edge having led from early on.

Tries in the first quarter from Ron Boucher and Cian Aherne settled the hosts into their stride and a third from Ronaldson had them 19 points to the good.

Ronaldson kicked a penalty early in the second half and winger Aherne went over for the bonus point score soon after, adding to his growing reputation as a terrific finisher out wide.

Young centre Mark Roche also got on the scoresheet for the dominant Dubliners before those two consolation tries for the Cookies, which were both converted by director of rugby Mike Prendergast.