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Munster pip Perpignan in thriller
23:45, Dec 11 2009
Munster showed their mettle as they recovered from conceding a late try to wrestle back the points against three-try Heineken Cup Pool 1 opponents Perpignan in a thrilling 24-23 victory at Thomond Park.
South African replacement Philip Burger scored a sensational 70th-minute try to give Perpignan a great chance of repeating Leicester Tigers' shock 2007 win at the Limerick venue.
But, in a tension-filled finish, Perpignan's discipline ultimately let them down as a high tackle from flanker Bertrand Guiry teed up Ronan O'Gara for the match-winning penalty, keeping Munster on track to qualify for the quarter-finals for the twelfth successive year.
Munster set out their stall with an early penalty success from O'Gara, who was under considerable pressure to deliver after being dropped for Ireland's recent clash with South Africa.
But Perpignan powered back, profiting from an ill-advised Lifeimi Mafi kick from a pass back into the Munster 22. The subsequent lineout was tapped down on the Munster side by Paul O'Connell, only for Yoann Vivalda to quickly gobble up the loose ball and charge over from 10 metres out. Jerome Porical's missed conversion was followed by a drilled penalty from O'Gara but just three minutes later, the Catalan side were celebrating their second try.
Robins Tchale Watchou secured lineout possession outside the hosts' 22, hooker Guilhem Guirado sprung clear off a ruck and flanker Guiry took the ball on before Nicolas Durand outfoxed Doug Howlett with a superb step and run in at the left corner. Porical added the conversion but was off target with a penalty from distance midway through what was a hard-fought and first half.
Munster bossed territory for the duration but Perpignan's defence was largely watertight. O'Gara's assured place-kicking - he knocked over four of his first five attempts - saw the 2006 and 2008 European champions draw level at 12-12 for half-time.
As the beginning of the second half ebbed and flowed O'Gara and Perpignan full-back Porical traded penalties, and hooker Denis Fogarty saved Munster's bacon by claiming a Durand cross-field kick as Perpignan pressed for a third try. But again O'Gara came up trumps, landing a drop-goal and a penalty for a 21-15 lead with 16 minutes to go.
Replacement David Mele converted a penalty to ensure a nervy finish for the home fans and Burger crossed for his superb score. The former Cheetahs player collected a kick from Paul Warwick outside the Perpignan 22 before using his pace to blast his way up the left touchline and outstrip Warwick and O'Gara for a sublime solo try.
Mele was narrowly wide with his conversion attempt and frustratingly for the Top 14 outfit, their good work was undone when Guiry caught Mafi with a high tackle and 24-point hero O'Gara did the rest.
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