The win marked their second in a row in the competition and will certainly boost their confidence as they look forward to a few more home games after a disappointing start to the season.

The Irishmen scored three first-half tries to a converted try and a penalty goal by the Emirates Lions for a handy 21-10 halftime lead, but the hosts fought back with intent in the second half, denying the visitors a single point, while they scored a try and more two penalty goals to edge to the victory in the dying minutes.

Munster broke out of the blocks quickly scoring two converted tries within six minutes by props John Ryan and Josh Wycherley following several phases on attack to build up a 14-0 lead by the 13^th minute.

The Emirates Lions hit back with some determined play and worked their way close to the tryline on a few occasions, and their efforts paid off in the 31^st minute as wing Edwill van der Merwe gathered a stunning offload and used his pace to dash to the tryline and score their first points of the match. Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf) added the extra two and a subsequent penalty goal to see the hosts trail 14-10.

Munster, however, had the last say in the half as Fineen Wycherley (lock) scored a try from a great break close to the tryline and he used his power to force his way over the chalk for an encouraging 21-7 halftime lead.

The visitors threatened to score again minutes after the restart with No 8 Alex Kendellen being denied a try due to a forward pass in the build-up to the ball being dotted down, and neither team were able to add to the score for the remainder of the third quarter as both sides tried hard to breach the defence without success.

The Emirates Lions had a golden opportunity to score their second try in the 63^rd minute, but a crucial handling error cost them. Hendrikse added his second penalty goal two minutes later to reduce their deficit to eight points.

Wandisile Simelane (centre) closed the gap even further minutes later as the Johannesburgers took advantage of a loose ball and spread it wide, and the speedster dashed to the tryline from the corner with minutes to play. Hendrikse’s conversion saw the hosts trail by one point, and it was game on with 12 minutes to play.

Hendrikse pushed the hosts into the lead for the first time in the game in the 73^rd minute as he slammed over in his third penalty goal, which nudged the team 23-21 ahead, and they held on until the final whistle to seal the win.   

Scorers:

Emirates Lions 23 (10) – Tries: Edwill van der Merwe, Wandisile Simelane. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2). Penalty goals: Hendrikse (3).

Munster 21 (21) – Tries: John Ryan, Josh Wycherley, Fineen Wycherley. Conversions: Jack Crowley (3).