Sexton and Kearney on song for Leinster

Leinster overcame another tricky trial at Ospreys, winning 22-9.

* In the other Friday match Damien Hoyland completed a try-double in the closing stages, as Edinburgh powered to a comfortable 28-13 victory over Benetton Treviso.

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Ospreys 9-22 Leinster

Jonathan Sexton pulled the strings for Leinster as the Irish province made it seven wins on the spin in the Pro12 after overcoming another tricky trial at Ospreys by 22-9.

Leinster were winless in their last four visits to Wales and a resurgent Ospreys had strung together five league victories in a row, but the visitors headed into half-time with the advantage thanks to Dave Kearney's converted try and a Sexton penalty.

Dan Biggar had missed several opportunities from the tee but his third penalty of the night in the 55th minute reduced the arrears to one before Leinster pulled away.

Noel Reid crossed before Kearney grabbed his second to seal the deal for Leinster, who had also benefited from Sexton's sublime kicking game – particularly with ball in hand.

Leinster set out of the traps the fastest but without the points to show for it, their closest chance snuffed out by Brendon Leonard after he dotting down a chip that crossed his side's try-line.

But Ospreys awoke from their slumber five minutes in, Jeff Hassler forcing the issue with a break up to the 22, and a series of line-out drives had the hosts knocking on the door.

A knock-on thwarted the best try-scoring opportunity but Biggar ensured Ospreys would get something from their visit by sinking a trademark drop-goal.

But there was to be some response from the visitors -Kearney did not have to break stride before gathering in Sexton's sumptuous crossfield kick, and the wing powered over the line despite the best attentions of Hassler.

It had all come from a rapid line-out move, and Sexton improved the try to extend Leinster's lead out to four points.

Biggar and Sexton traded penalties midway through the half as the game settled down a touch and neither side could gain a foothold.

But, just before half-time Wales flyhalf Biggar, missed a chance to chop the deficit down to one point after he pulled a penalty a shade to the left.

Dominic Ryan, who had replaced Jamie Heaslip in the first half, combined with Rhys Ruddock to great effect at the start of the second period to force a key turnover.

The visitors still struggled to get out of their half and after losing the battle in the scrum, Biggar went for goal again – only to see another penalty miss by inches.

He redeemed himself in the 53rd minute as Leinster continued to live dangerously, and in further good news for Ospreys, Alun Wyn Jones entered the fray in replacement of Rory Thornton.

But it was to be Leinster who got the all-important next breakthrough with Ben Te'o on the gallop in midfield, and he fed replacement Reid in to complete another easy-on-the-eye try.

Crucially for Ospreys, Sexton's tricky conversion smacked off the post – meaning it was all to play for in the last ten minutes.

However, Sexton's famed touchfinders meant momentum for Steve Tandy's men was hard to come by.

It was left for another one of Leinster's difference-makers, Eoin Reddan, to play a wonderfully disguised inside ball to Kearney and he finished off another powerful move – which was confirmed after a quick check to the TMO.

The scorers:

For Ospreys:

Pens: Biggar 2

DG: Biggar

For Leinster:

Tries: D Kearney 2, Reid

Cons: Sexton 2

Pen: Sexton

Teams:

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Hanno Dirksen, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Dan Baker, 7 Sam Underhill 6 James King, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Lloyd Ashley, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Scott Otten, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Eli Walker.

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Isa Nacewa (captain), 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Luke Fitzgerald, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Dominic Ryan, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Noel Reid.

Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Simon Rees (Wales)

TMO: Jonathan Mason (Wales)

Edinburgh 28-13 Benetton Treviso

Damien Hoyland completed a try-double in the closing stages as Edinburgh powered to a comfortable 28-13 victory over Benetton Treviso, building on their successful 1872 Cup defence over the festive period.

Though Treviso battled back from an early deficit thanks to two James Ambrosini penalties, Edinburgh always kept them at arm's length after Damien Hoyland's converted try and a Sam Hidalgo-Clyne opened up the scoring.

And the hosts turned the screw after the break as Hidalgo-Clyne, who finished with a 13-point haul, gobbled up the penalties on offer from a wilting Treviso pack.

A penalty try put paid on the hour mark put paid to the visitors' challenge, and despite a Luke McLean consolation, the score effectively handed Edinburgh their fourth win on the bounce in all competitions.

Hoyland then added the gloss by stretching over the try-line with the last play of the game.

Treviso, on a 22-game losing streak in all competitions, had decided to part ways with Umberto Casellato during the week – with former full-back Marius Goosen chosen as the man to take the helm.

His first task was to quell a Edinburgh side buoyed by double-headed triumph over inter-city rivals Glasgow Warriors and an early burst from Matt Scott put the Italians on the backfoot.

Hoyland looked to have capped the move off only for a knock-on in the build-up, but Edinburgh kept the pressure on before Treviso were pinged for not releasing. Hidalgo-Clyne completed the chip shot and the hosts were on the board.

Dougie Fife then so nearly collected Michael Allen's chip through for an easy score but Murrayfield did not have to wait long as, this time, the powerful Hoyland was not to be denied for the opening try.

After Hidalgo-Clyne bagged the extra points, Treviso responded almost immediately when flyhalf Ambrosini capitalised on Edinburgh discipline with a penalty.

And Ambrosini, who had only kicked one successful penalty in his 33 prior Pro12 appearances, doubled his night's tally on 24 minutes as Treviso began to gather momentum.

That almost meant frustrating Edinburgh at the other end, as Hidalgo-Clyne came within five metres of the try-line before a knock-on was called – and the Italians managed to clear their lines after a further home side infringement.

No further score was added before the interval and Treviso continued to bend, rather than break, though that did not stop Edinburgh accumulating points.

Hidalgo-Clyne slotted his second penalty of the match in the 47th minute before Rory Sutherland and Hoyland punched holes in the Treviso defence to give Edinburgh another superb opportunity.

Another Hidalgo-Clyne penalty was all that came for it, but Edinburgh's lead had suddenly extended to ten points – and the worst for Treviso was yet to arrive.

The Edinburgh pressure eventually told on the hour-mark as Treviso gave up a penalty try and, allied to Hidalgo-Clyne's extras, the result was a 23-6 lead that looked mightily ominous for the visitors.

Treviso did not give up easily however, responding with a try through McLean in the 67th minute, before solid Edinburgh scrummaging within their own half was needed to prevent any further score.

And having coped with everything the Italians could throw at them, man-of-the-match Hoyland fittingly had the last word by forcing his way over in the last minute.

The scorers:

For Edinburgh:

Tries: Hoyland 2, Penalty

Cons: Hidalgo-Clyne 2

Pens: Hidalgo-Clyne 3

For Benetton Treviso:

Try: McLean

Con: Ambrosini

Pens: Ambrosini 2

Yellow cards: Alex Toolis (Edinburgh, 63), Tom Palmer (Benetton Treviso, 78), Ornel Gega (Benetton Treviso, 79)

Teams:

Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Michael Allen, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Damien Hoyland, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 Cornell Du Preez, 7 John Hardie, 6 Mike Coman (captain), 5 Alex Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 WP Nel, 2 Neil Cochrane, 1 Rory Sutherland.

Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Allan Dell, 18 John Andress, 19 Jamie Ritchie, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Andries Strauss.

Benetton Treviso: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Andrea Pratichetti, 13 Sam Christie, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Simone Ragusi, 10 James Ambrosini, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Alessandro Zanni (captain), 6 Marco Barbini, 5 Jeff Montauriol, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Salesi Manu, 2 Roberto Santamaria, 1 Matteo Zanusso.

Replacements: 16 Ornel Gega, 17 Cherif Traorè, 18 Alberto De Marchi, 19 Tom Palmer, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Marco Lazzaroni, 22 Alberto Lucchese, 23 Enrico Bacchin.

Referee: Gary Conway (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Stephen Hart (Scotland)

Source: @PRO12rugby