Scarlets went down to a 34-21 defeat to an impressive Munster side in their BKT United Rugby Championship opener at Parc y Scarlets.
The Irish province bossed the contest for long periods, though the Scarlets kept battling in the second half to come close to snatching a couple of bonus points.
Blair Murray, Ellis Mee and Taine Plumtree crossed for the home side, but Munster were deserved winners, aided by a water-tight defence and some bruising carriers up front
Scarlets were forced into a pre-match reshuffle after losing forwards Kemsley Mathias and Sam Lousi before kick-off, with prop Alec Hepburn and second row Max Douglas, for his first game since March, coming into the starting XV.
There were a couple of bright moments early on with ball in hand, but as the half wore on it was Munster who controlled the opening 40 minutes.
The Irish province were over for the only try of the half on 10 minutes – skipper Craig Casey crossing from a short-range line-out. The TMO did intervene, but referee Sam Grove-White decided the try should stand. JJ Hanrahan, back with his home side, converted.
With Munster dominating possession and territory, Hanrahan added a couple more penalties to extend the lead to 13-0.
Scarlets almost hit back, but skipper Josh Macleod had the ball dislodged with the line at his mercy after Plumtree broke through Munster’s defence. The visitors’ defence then repelled a couple of attacking line-outs and close-range drives to keep the West Walians nilled at the break.
The mountain got steeper for the Scarlets when Munster exploited space out wide to send full-back Mike Haley over in the 42nd minute, but the home side did hit back thanks to a superbly-crafted try for Murray.
A slick move saw Sam Costelow dummy and break free before feeding his fellow Wales international on the outside with Murray having enough pace and a fend to make the line. Costelow nailed the conversion to make it 20-7.
However, Munster quickly quelled any threat of a comeback with their third try – centre Dan Kelly stepping over at the posts. Ireland international fly-half Jack Crowley, on for Hanrahan at half-time converted.
Scarlets fans in a 9,079 crowd were celebrating a second try when right wing Mee pounced on a smart dink through from scrum-half Gareth Davies, but when replacement Thomas Ahern powered over from close range, the match was settled.
Plumtree intercepted and raced over to put his side within distance of two bonus points, but the rain teeming down late on, the Scarlets were unable to find their way to the line.
Dwayne Peel’s side will look to regroup quickly before they face Connacht in Galway next Saturday.
Scarlets – tries: B. Murray, E. Mee, T. Plumtree. Cons: S. Costelow
Munster – tries: C. Casey, M. Haley, D. Kelly, T. Ahern. Cons: JJ Hanrahan, J. Crowley (3). Pens: Hanrahan (2).
Attendance: 9,079