Bitter-sweet victory for Ospreys

 

Sitting top of the Pro12 table prior to kick-off the Ospreys knew a bonus-point win would guarantee a home semifinal but after a flawless first-half the Welsh region couldn't add a fourth try.

 

Tries from Dan Biggar, Ben John and Rhys Webb had the Ospreys 24-0 up at the break but Connacht came flying back to score 20 unanswered second-half points and secure seventh spot to set up a European Champions Cup play-off.

 

Ospreys now face a difficult trip to Munster, who secured second spot with a bonus point win over Newport Gwent Dragons, knowing that nobody has ever won an away semifinal in the Pro12 play-offs.

 

Hosts Connacht had the better of the first scrum between the two sides, but a mistake at the second exchange from Rodney Ah You gave Ospreys the penalty on halfway after five minutes.

 

Biggar, the Pro12's second highest points scorer prior to kick-off, stepped up and had both the distance and accuracy to put his side into the lead.

 

Connacht were causing some disruption to the Ospreys defence and Bundee Aki would have been in for the opening try if it wasn't for a good tackle to stop Aly Muldowney offloading in the corner. 

 

Ospreys' early dominance in the scrum paved the way for the opening score though as they drove back the Connacht pack, turned over the ball and then Dan Baker set up Biggar to touch down under the posts.

 

The flyhalf added the extras for a 10-0 lead and the visitors were soon paying another visit to the Connacht 22 as John added the Welsh region's second try of the afternoon on 26 minutes.

 

A penalty from Biggar gave the Ospreys a good platform in the corner and after a solid lineout the Ospreys backs opened up to allow centre John to run in – Biggar converting with ease.

 

A shell shocked Connacht side were being carved open and needed an excellent piece of defensive work from Jack Carty to deny Eli Walker a score. 

 

Their defence was breached once again though just before the half-hour, this time the elusive Webb going over for his 11th Pro12 score of the season.

 

Just before the break Walker almost grabbed the bonus-point score but when reviewed by the TMO it was clear the wing had agonisingly knocked the ball on just over the try line.

 

A pair of early Carty penalties after the restart gave Connacht some much needed momentum and after earning another penalty within range of the posts a decision to go for the corner showed their intent.

 

The decision paid off as an excellent maul from the hosts, following a solid line-out, saw Eoghan Masterson crash over and after Carty added the extras it was a nine-point game all of a sudden.

 

Connacht were gunning for another score and got just that through prop Dennis Buckley in the final minute of action.

 

Carty added the extras for 24-20 and although there was time for a restart neither side were able to add any further score with both bound to be disappointed with the final score. 

 

 

Tries: Webb, John, Biggar

Cons: Biggar 3

Pen: Biggar

 

Tries: Buckley, Masterson

Cons: Carty 2

Pen: Carty 2

 

 

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Eoin McKeon, 7 Eoghan Masterson, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Andrew Browne, 3 Rodney Ah You, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley. 

Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 JP Cooney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Michael Swift, 20 George Naoupu, 21 John Cooney, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Shane O'Leary.

 

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Ben John, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Dan Baker, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 James King, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Tyler Ardron, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Nicky Smith.

Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Jonathan Spratt.

 

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)

Assistant Referees: Andy Brace (Ireland), Nigel Correll (Ireland)

TMO: Seamus Flannery (Ireland)

 

Source: @PRO12rugby