Treviso 13
Munster 16
A LATE PENALTY from out-half Ian Keatley handed Munster victory in poor conditions against Treviso.
The win moves the southern province up to sixth in the Guinness Pro12, with a game in hand over each of the teams above them, Leinster aside.
Anthony Foley’s side struggled for long periods against the determined Italian side at Stadio di Monigo and the overall feeling after this victory will be one of utter relief. Indeed, with 13 minutes remaining, Munster found themselves trailing 13-10.
The province’s supporters will be encouraged to move up the Pro12 table, but the manner of the performance was concerning.
An 11th-minute try for wing Gerhard van den Heever wide on the left had Munster off to a positive start as they looked to rebound from the recent defeats to the Ospreys and Glasgow.
Keatley was off target with his conversion attempt, before Treviso grew into the contest and ended a period of pressure in the Munster 22 with a try for number eight Robert Barbieri, converted by Jayden Hayward.
On a muddy pitch, the contest was scrappy and scores were few and far between. The Italians retained their 7-5 lead into half time then extended it to 10-5 in the 52nd minute with a Hayward penalty.
The introduction of Tommy O’Donnell – after he was a travelling reserve with Ireland in London yesterday – off the bench added impetus for Munster and they conjured a second try soon after.
Andrew Conway kicked behind Treviso and centre Francis Saili won the race to the ball to dot down. Keatley missed the conversion, however, and Hayward’s second penalty sent the Italians 13-10 ahead with 15 minutes left to play.
Keatley finally found his range with 12 minutes left to fire over a penalty and when Treviso failed to support their bodyweight at a ruck inside their own 22 soon after, Keatley struck again to squeeze Munster ahead.
Loosehead Dave Kilcoyne was sin binned with three minutes remaining in the contest, but Munster held on as the Italians spilled the ball on their final attack in the visitors’ half.
Treviso scorers:
Try: Robert Barbieri
Conversion: Jayden Hayward
Penalties: Jayden Hayward [2]
Munster scorers:
Tries: Gerhard van den Heever, Francis Saili
Penalties: Ian Keatley [2]
TREVISO: Jayden Hayward; Ludovico Nitoglia, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi (capt.), Angelo Esposito; Sam Christie, Alberto Lucchese; Alberto De Marchi, Luca Bigi, Simone Ferrari; Filo Paulo, Tom Palmer; Marco Barbini, Marco Lazzaroni, Robert Barbieri.
Replacements: Federico Zani, Cherif Traorè, Filippo Filippetto, Jeff Montauriol, Dean Budd, Andrea De Marchi, Chris Smylie, Tommaso Iannone.
MUNSTER: Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Gerhard van den Heever; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, John Ryan; Mark Chisholm, Billy Holland (capt.); Jack O’Donoghue, Dave O’Callaghan, Robin Copeland.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Peter McCabe, Mario Sagario, Dave Foley, Tommy O’Donnell, Cathal Sheridan, Cian Bohane, David Johnston.
