Tom Bowen hat-trick not enough as Cardiff fall short in Munster

A hat-trick of tries from Tom Bowen ensured Cardiff left Limerick with two losing bonus points as they fell just short in their bid for a first ever win at Thomond Park.

Cardiff were excellent for a large period of the game with a hat-trick from Wales U20s wing Bowen along with a try from Josh Adams giving the Welsh club a real shot at victory. But they failed to convert a single try in difficult conditions in Limerick which ultimately cost them the game.

Ruadhan Quinn, Gavin Coombes and Diarmuid Barron scored Munster's tries while player of the match Jack Crowley kicked eight points.

Munster started well as playmaker Crowley chipped over the top of the Cardiff defence before regathering the ball and punting it upfield.

Dan Kelly beat Adams to the ball and tried to use the conditions to slide over the line.

The try was disallowed by the TMO but he did spot a high tackle by Cardiff lock Josh McNally who got sent to the sin bin.

But it was Cardiff who drew first blood after Dan Thomas won field position with a penalty at the breakdown.

Cardiff began to build pressure and a wonderful kick through by Sheedy found Adams who scored.

Munster hit back with a period of pressure in the Cardiff 22 and after they had worked an overlap Thaakir Abrahams put Quinn over at the corner.

Cardiff finished the first-half by laying siege to the Munster try line and came close to breaking their resistance but were stopped by a cynical act by backrower Gavin Coombes who played the ball after a ruck was formed.

Coombes got sent to the sin bin for his actions but Cardiff coughed up possession soon after meaning the scores were level at 5-5 at the interval.

Cardiff started the second-half like a house on fire and were put on the front foot by their captain