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HEINEKEN CUP, POOL 5
Treviso 21
Tries: Pozzebon, Palmer
Con: Mason
Dg: Smith
Pens: Mason
Munster 31
Tries: Blayney, Williams, Mullins, Foley, Staunton
Cons: O'Gara 3
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Munster kept their play-off hopes very much on track with a five-try victory over Treviso in Italy.
Anthony Foley, Mike Mullins, Jim Williams, James Blayney and Jeremy Staunton touched down for Munster.
And fly-half Ronan O'Gara weighed in with three conversions to complete the scoring for the away side.
Walter Pozzebon and Scott Palmer scored tries for Treviso with Simon Mason landing a penalty and Franco Smith dropping a goal.
But Munster, twice-beaten finalists, initially struggled against a brave Treviso side leading only 12-10 at the break.
Opposing centres Mullins and Pozzebon exchanged early tries before former Ireland international Mason gave the home side a surprise 10-7 lead
with a simple penalty goal.
It did not last long as skipper Williams took a superb catch at the back
of the line-out and hooker Blayney was driven over.
Treviso's cause was not helped when referee Joel Dume sent centre Manuel Dallan to
the sin-bin for a professional foul.
Munster made their one-man advantage count with another drive over the line with Williams emerging with the ball.
The Irishmen scored a vital bonus-point try within minutes, with backrower and
man of the match Foley celebrating his 57th Cup appearance with the
five-pointer that puts Munster in the box seat in Pool Five.
The home side replied with a Smith dropped goal, but yet another
Mullins break set up replacement full-back Staunton for Munster's fifth
try.
Treviso were brave throughout and were rewarded in the final minute with a try
to backrower Palmer.
Treviso:
Munster: S Payne, J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, A Horgan, R O'Gara, P Stringer, G McIlwham, J Blayney J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, J Williams (capt), D Wallace, A Foley.
Replacements: S Kerr, D Pusey, S Keogh, E Reddan, J Staunton, J Holland.
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MMIX
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