Mike Ruddocks men tore into their illustrious visitors from the opening whistle to record a highly impressive victory.
But it was a different stroy for Munster. Coach Alan Gaffney’s men crashed to their heaviest-ever Celtic League defeat to the side chosen by many Welsh pundits as the worst in the Principality, and the Australian is struggling to compete in this tournament without his World Cup stars.
Gwent fly-half Craig Warlow kicked 19 points as Munster were held scoreless in a rugged clash of two sides desperate for a victory. The Dragons starved the visitors of possession, and made the most of every opportunity they got as they romped to their third straight win at home.
“We’ve worked hard for this,” Dragons skipper man of the match Jason Forster said. “(Coach) Mike Ruddock has worked hard at the basics all season and we’re really happy about how things are coming together.
“We saw Llanelli beat these guys the other week, and we’re pleased to have done the same.”
The first quarter was all the Dragons, with Warlow, selected ahead of goal-kicking whiz Lee Jarvis, proving his worth with two penalty goals and a conversion of backrower Jamie Ringer’s try – after a great break from fellow flanker Jason Forster – to give his side a comfortable 13-0 lead on the half-hour mark.
Munster’s makeshift fly-half Jeremy Staunton missed his second shot at goal in the 37th minute, and opposite number Warlow punished him with a third penalty goal to give his side a well-deserved 16-point lead at halftime.
It was third time lucky for Staunton in the 52nd minute as he finally gave visiting fans something to cheer about with a simple penalty goal, but Warlow cancelled that out with a dropped goal from the next phase of play, before Staunton slotted a second penalty goal.
Some good work from Dragons skipper Andy Marinos set up good territory and prop Adam Black steamed over the try-line in tackle of replacement opponent Frank Roche. Warlow’s conversion simply twisted the knife as Gwent ended the match as a contest.
Gwent Dragons: Tries – J Ringer, A Black; Pens – C Warlow 4, DG – C Warlow; Cons – C Warlow 2.
Munster: Pens – J Staunton 2. Halftime: Dragons 16-0.
Gwent Dragons: S Tuipulotu; G Arasa (B Davey 79), H Luscombe, A Marinos (captain), B Breeze; C Warlow, G Baber; A Black, S Jones (P Young 64), C Anthony (R Thomas 76), I Gough, P Sidoli (L Charteris 76), J Ringer, J Forster, R Oakley.
Munster: D Crotty; S Payne (C Casey 77), M Mullins, C O’Sullivan (B Murphy 78), M Lawlor; J Staunton, E Reddan (F Murphy 78); S Kerr, A Long, J Danagher (F Roche 40), T Hogan, D Sheehan (E Halvey 67) (C McMahon 73), S Keogh, D Wallace, J Williams (capt)
