Tries from Lifiemi Mafi and Tomas O’Leary, coupled with five penalties from three different kickers gave Munster a four point victory as the home side were only able to score through the boot of fly half James Hook.
Hook scored seven penalties, with thre e coming in the first period, but his side were unable to cross the whitewash and will have to settle for a losing bonus point.
The Heineken Cup holders struck inside five minutes when a sparkling break from Barry Murphy created an opening for fellow centre Mafi to cross in the corner.
A James Hook penalty 90 seconds later, reduced the deficit, but when the Ospreys’ scrum was adjudged to have collapsed two minutes later, Warwick restored his side’s five point lead with a penalty from 40 metres.
Hook’s second penalty on 19 minutes once again brought the Ospreys to within a couple of points, but such was the careless nature of their play, with ball in hand, that chances to bag a first try of the night twice went begging.
They were made to pay for their errors after 25 minutes when Denis Leamy was shoved in the line out and Warwick, from 25 metres, once again converted the ensuing penalty.Â
Two penalties from Hook edged the Ospreys ahead after the break, before Warwick’s replacement Conan Doyle slotted one of his own to make the score 15-14 to the home side.
On 50 minutes a trademark break from Shane Williams sent the Ospreys haring into Munster territory, with Hook providing fine support. As the Ospreys pack poured forward, Dowling grabbed the ball from the ruck and earned himself a yellow card and three more points for Hook.
It was 14 men apiece five minutes later, as the Ospreys lost Steve Tandy to the sin bin for an identical offence in front of the Ospreys posts. Doyle’s second penalty drew the visitors back to within a point.
After some strong and patient phase play from the Munster eight, Mafi turned provider as he took on Phillips close to the Ospreys line before popping the ball to O’Leary, who crashed over to score.
Doyle was withdrawn soon after, with Peter Stringer slotting in at scrum-half and O’Leary moving to No.10, and it was he who sent Munster further in front with a penalty on 65 minutes.
Hook slotted another penalty to bring his side back to within four points, but the Munster forwards began to come into the ascendancy as the half wore on. The Ospreys lineout in particular came under pressure from Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan.
With under a minute left to play, Hook sent a perfect kick into the corner after Munster had been penalised on halfway. With the ball secured, the Ospreys looked for the killer score only for Tiatia to knock on, handing the win and top spot in the league to Munster.
