Biggar's boot leads Ospreys to victory
The flyhalf kicked five penalties, a drop goal and converted Josh Matavesi's try as the Ospreys shook off a difficult start to the Pro 12 season by getting on the board at the first time of asking in Europe.
Exeter had led 10-6 at the break through James Short's try and five points from the boot of Gareth Steenson but they could only add a penalty during the second 40 minutes.
The Welsh side, who had won just two of their previous 14 matches in this competition, started positively, forcing errors and penalties out of the visitors. Biggar kicked two three-point opportunities to give the hosts a 6-0 lead but, after a loose start, Exeter were beginning to find their feet and go through the phases.
Ospreys survived one prolonged onslaught thanks to a turnover from lock Lloyd Ashley in the shadows of his own posts, although Steenson soon kicked a penalty to trim the deficit. Chiefs, with Dave Ewers and Julian Salvi carrying strongly, came again and thought they had a try when Luke Cowan-Dickie spun out of a tackle to reach the line, only for the TMO to find a knock-on.
It proved a brief reprieve for Ospreys. Will Chudley fielded an up-and-under and darted between two defenders to find Short, the wing escaped the clutches of James King and then wrong-footed Biggar to score, with Steenson converting.
Ospreys responded strongly but Biggar blotted his copybook by missing two penalties in the lead-up to half-time, although he slotted another attempt just after the break to trim the deficit to one. The Wales No.10 was still not quite in rhythm from the tee and struck the post from close range when Cowan-Dickie was pinged at a ruck, only for the Chiefs hooker to offend again seconds later with Biggar not repeating his mistake.
Steenson responded with a penalty but the Ospreys pack were beginning to get on top and they laid the platform for Biggar to drop a goal and restore their lead. Biggar's fifth penalty pushed the advantage out to five points before Matavesi picked off Steenson's pass to race in from 60 metres to seal the win and deny Exeter a losing bonus point.
Scorers:
For Ospreys:
Try: Matavesi
Con: Biggar
Pens: Biggar 5
DG: Biggar
For Exeter Chiefs:
Try: Short
Con: Steenson
Pens: Steenson 2
Teams:
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Dafydd Howells, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Lloyd Ashley, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Ben John.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Jack Nowell, 14 Matt Jess, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Sam Hill, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson (captain), 9 Will Chudley, 8 Don Armand, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Moray Low, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Ian Whitten, 23 Michele Campagnaro.
Referee: Marius Mitrea
