With the final whistle fast approaching, the Irishmen flung the ball wide towards the Gravells North Stand – and wing Denis Hurley broke the defensive line to cross. Stand-off Jeremy Manning converted. It was the cruellest of late twists in an absorbing match which Nigel Davies’s team went so close to winning.

The Scarlets ran out to the warm applause of more than 6,300 supporters in glorious autumn sunshine. Their first chance came quickly but a Rhys Priestland penalty kick sailed narrowly wide. The hungry Scarlets won a second penalty – but no score came.

Munster were dealt a blow when No 8 Denis Leamy was binned for a professional foul. After a late tackle on debut-making centre Gareth Maule the Scarlets were handed a penalty in front of the posts and Priestland made it 3-0.

Flanker Dafydd Jones was then penalised for a professional foul which handed Munster a chance at goal but Jeremy Manning was off-target. Twenty minutes in and Manning had another go at goal after the Scarlets were penalized for hands in the ruck. He made it 3-3.  Visiting wing Denis Hurley then touched down and saw his fly-half convert to create a 10-3 advantage.

Munster second row Donnacha Ryan was then yellow-carded for taking out full-back Daniel Evans – and more gloom was to follow for the visitors as Scarlets wing Sean Lamont made a darting run from his own half. He found Davies on his inside and he passed to Simon Easterby before Deacon Manu crossed for a deserved five points. Priestland converted.

The Scarlets came out showing their intent early in the second half with captain Mark Jones scoring a try. Priestland converted for a 17-10 lead. Phil John, Vernon Cooper and Richie Pugh took the place of Iestyn Thomas, Lou Reed and Dafydd Jones but Munster scrum-half Toby Morland darted over to narrow the gap.

Sosban Fach rang around Parc y Scarlets now and the Scarlets responded by making hard yards into Munster territory. A Daniel Evans penalty made it 20-15. The Scarlets looked strong in the dying moments but the visitors clinched the win with their late knockout blow.

Scarlets: Iestyn Thomas , Ken Owens , Deacon Manu , Lou Reed , Dominic Day , Simon Easterby , Dafydd Jones , David Lyons , Martin Roberts , Rhys Priestland , Mark Jones (c), Jonathan Davies , Gareth Maule , Sean Lamont , Daniel Evans. Replacements: Phil John for Iestyn Thomas (55), Vernon Cooper for Lou Reed (55), Richie Pugh for Dafydd Jones (55). Tries: Deacon Manu (34), Mark Jones (45) Conversions: Rhys Priestland (35, 46) Penalties: Rhys Priestland (13), Daniel Evans (77).

Munster: Julien Brugnaut , Damien Varley , John Hayes , Donnacha Ryan , Mick O'Driscoll (c), Alan Quinlan , Niall Ronan , Denis Leamy , Toby Morland , Jeremy Manning , Denis Hurley , Lifeimi Mafi , Barry Murphy , Doug Howlett , Felix Jones. Replacements: Tommy O'Donnell for Niall Ronan (40), Tony Buckley for Julien Brugnaut (46), Denis Fogarty for Damien Varley (57), Tomas O'Leary for Toby Morland (66), Tom Gleeson for Barry Murphy (72). Tries: Denis Hurley (25, 80+), Toby Morland (56) Conversions: Jeremy Manning (26, 80+) Penalties: Jeremy Manning (20). Cards: 9: Denis Leamy - Yellow , 31: Donnacha Ryan – Yellow.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Attendance: 6,313