Ospreys take pole position

 

No team has ever won an away semifinal in the history the play-offs and Ospreys made it sure they go into the final round of the competition in a good position after extending their unbeaten home record in the league this season.

 

It was a clinical 20 minutes after half time which secured the all-important win for the Welsh side with tries from Ben John and Rhys Webb putting the game out of reach.

 

A late try from Chris Fusaro couldn't prevent Ospreys from picking up their fifth win on the trot and replacing Glasgow at the top of the table on Friday.

 

It was a tense opening to the game but Glasgow took the lead after quarter of an hour through a Duncan Weir penalty.

 

Dan Biggar was unlucky not to put Ospreys in front when he broke free to charge over the Warrior's try line but brilliant defence from Rob Harley prevented the flyhalf from getting the ball on the ground.

 

With Biggar off the pitch after taking a heavy blow to his shoulder in that passage of play, Dan Evans stepped up to take the penalty which levelled up the scores at 3-3 midway through the first half.

 

Ospreys received a blow when Jeff Hassler was forced off with a hamstring injury on his first appearance back after five months out with knee ligament damage.

 

And the Welsh side seemed determined to go in ahead at half time but Biggar went for the drop goal and pulled it wide meaning the sides went in one kick apiece.

 

After the restart Biggar wasted no time in putting Ospreys in front for the first time in the match, converting a penalty to give them a 6-3 lead.

 

Then the Welsh side scored a brilliant try, set up by Josh Matavesi who showed quick hands to play a brilliant inside ball to John coming up on the outside.

 

John made no mistake, following up his Judgement Day try against Newport Gwent Dragons with the first of the evening against the Warriors.

 

Weir had a brilliant chance to put the Warriors back within touching distance but his penalty hit the post.

 

And Glasgow were made to pay for Weir's mistake as the game approached the final quarter when Webb raced free for Ospreys after a cheeky little chip to score a brilliant solo try.

 

Biggar's conversion was successful but the Warriors made an immediate response, driving forward for the try with Fusaro going over. 

 

It was all too little too late for Scots though and Ospreys got the win they needed to overtake Glasgow at the top.

 

 

Tries: John, Webb

Cons: Biggar

Pens: Evans, Biggar 2

 

Tries: Fusaro

Con: Weir

Pen: Weir

 

 

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 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 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Nicky Smith.

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

 

Glasgow: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Richie Vernon, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Niko Matawalu, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Josh Strauss (captain), 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Jon Welsh, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Ryan Grant.

Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Euan Murray, 19 Leone Nakarawa, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Lee Jones, 22 Fraser Lyle, 23 Peter Murchie.

 

Referee: George Clancy 

Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Martyn Lewis 

TMO: Derek Bevan