Blues 19 (11)
Tries: James 2.
Pens: Robinson 3.

Two tries from Tom James helped the Blues claim a narrow win at Musgrave Park which keeps them on top of the Magners League table.

The Welsh side made a superb start with two Nick Robinson penalties and a James try putting the Blues 11-0 ahead.

But Munster hit back and Paul Warwick's penalty followed by a Mark Melbourne try made it 11-10 at the break.

James went over for another try and Robinson kicked a third penalty before Niall Ronan scored a converted try.

Highlights - Magners League tries

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David Young's men did just enough to bounce back from last weekend's loss to Leinster and record their fifth win in six away games in the league.

In an astonishing first half, it was all the Blues as their intensity and poise had Munster reeling from early on.

Slow to recycle the ball, the hosts were on the back foot from as early as the seventh minute when Blues fly-half Robinson demonstrated his form on the night with a well-struck penalty.

Munster could get no respite at that stage and with Paul Warwick having a shocker - three missed penalties from kickable positions in the opening half - the Blues looked to take full advantage.

Just two minutes later, a Robinson up and under caused consternation in the Munster rearguard.

When the ball broke off Shaun Payne, Robinson hacked on for winger James to race clear of Ian Dowling, gather the ball and charge over for the game's opening try.

Having missed the conversion, Robinson soon landed his second penalty.

But, true to form, Munster rallied splendidly as the half came to a close and, with two minutes remaining, Warwick found his kicking boots to get Munster off the mark.

The number 10's penalty success was followed three minutes later by a try for the hosts as lock Melbourne burrowed over with Warwick converting.

However, their brief comeback was just that.

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On the resumption, it was more of the same as handling errors continued to blight Munster's game.

The Blues were not bothered and continued to set the pace, extending their lead yet again after 44 minutes when a speedy attack from the visiting backs put James over to complete his brace.

Robinson tagged on a penalty eight minutes later and the Blues' advantage was out to 19-10.

Munster threatened to ruin the party when flanker Ronan got in for a try after 69 minutes, converted by Warwick.

In the end, however, the table toppers hung on to claim the win and consign Munster to their first defeat of the season.

Munster: Payne, Dowling, Lewis, Tipoki, Horgan, P. Warwick, O'Leary, Pucciariello, Fogarty, Buckley, Melbourne, O'Driscoll, Coughlan, Ronan, Foley.
Replacements: Mafi for Dowling (55), Manning for Horgan (61), D. Hurley for Pucciariello (50), Sheahan for Fogarty (50), Quinlan for Melbourne (50). Not Used: Holland, G. Hurley.

Blues: Blair, J. Roberts, J. Robinson, Hewitt, James, N. Robinson, Rees, Yapp, G. Williams, G. Powell, Davies, Sidoli, Morgan, Sowden-Taylor, Rush.
Replacements: Jones for Davies (58), White for Morgan (73). Not Used: S. Roberts, Johnson, Spice, Macleod, R. Williams.

Att: 6,500