Scarlets' Joe Ajuwa tackles Munster's Scott Deasy at Musgrave Park
Munster had to work hard to hold off a determined challenge from the Scarlets in Thursday's Magners League clash.
Rhys Priestland's breakaway try put the Scarlets ahead before Jean de Villiers' score nudged Munster into the lead.
Priestland briefly restored Scarlets' lead but James Coughlan's touchdown helped Munster lead 17-8 at the break.
Priestland's boot cut Munster's lead despite Paul Warwick's two penalties but the Scarlets had to be content with a bonus point despite late pressure.
Priestland ran 80 metres to score the quickest try of the Magners League season after he had charged down Paul Warwick's attempted attempt chip over the Scarlets defence.
However, Munster were ahead by the seventh minute after De Villiers barged his way over following sustained pressure with Warwick adding the conversion.
Munster had an escape immediately after the restart as Coughlan almost gifted a try to Richie Pugh by spilling possession before the Scarlets flanker was held up inches short of the line.
The Scarlets turned down a simple three points in front of the Munster posts by opting for a scrum.
However, a crooked put-in gifted a relieving free-kick to Munster in a key moment of the contest.
The Scarlets did take the lead again on 34 minutes when Priestland slotted a penalty.
But their lead was short-lived as Warwick replied after Deacon Manu's sin-binning for a cynical tap-back as Nick Williams threatened.
On the stroke of half-time, Munster increased their lead to nine points as Coughlan charged over following intense pressure and Warwick added the conversion.
Priestland's second penalty cut Munster's lead to 17-11 five minutes into the second half only for Warwick to restore the nine-point advantage with a 52nd-minute penalty.
The Scarlets chipped away at Munster's lead as two more Priestland penalties were split by another Warwick three points.
That left the Scarlets in line for a bonus point but they were chasing victory in the closing stages as a series of runs from deep left the Munster defence on the backfoot.
Munster had replacement Tommy O'Donnell sin-binned three minutes from and Scott Deasy was lucky not to follow for a cynical trip on Andy Fenby in the closing seconds as the home side held on.
Scarlets coach Nigel Davies: "It's very frustrating, we were just a little bit inaccurate on a couple of occasions.
There are International Rugby Board rulings recently come out saying that anybody involved with the tackled player has to roll away... well, it's just a farce at the moment
Nigel Davies
"There were about four line-outs in good positions which we didn't win, some box kicking was poor and put us under a lot of pressure, and we just turned over ball at crucial times.
"If we could have got the accuracy we could have pushed for a win here.
"But I'm really frustrated with the contact area at the moment, we are playing a different game.
"There are International Rugby Board rulings recently come out saying that anybody involved with the tackled player has to roll away... well, it's just a farce at the moment.
"This is people's livelihoods here and we need have to have a clear understanding about how people are going to referee this game, at the moment we're just not having it.
"The bonus point is a consolation, this is a very difficult place to come and we've never won here.
"But that last play towards the end of the game was completely illegal, we could have been under the posts if that trip didn't happen, so I'm hugely frustrated."
Munster: Deasy; Howlett, Gleeson, De Villiers, Dowling; Warwick, Stringer; Horan, Varley, Brugnaut; O'Driscoll (capt), Holland; Williams, Ronan, Coughlan. Replacements: D Hurley for Howlett (54), Williams for Stringer (65), Fogarty for Varley (61), Ryan for Brugnaut (61), Quinlan for N. Williams (65), O'Donnell for Ronan (69), Manning for D Williams (74).
Scarlets: Newton, Ajuwa, King, J. Davies, Fenby, Priestland, Knoyle, I Thomas, Owens, Manu, Reed, Day, Turnbull, Pugh, Lyons. Replacements: Evans for Newton (53), Maule for King (65), Roberts for Knoyle (67), Welch for Day (65), John for Turnbull (38), McCusker for Pugh (62). Not Used: Phillips.
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