Ospreys swoop for bonus
Ospreys claimed their third straight win with Mefin Davies' try five minutes into injury time securing a bonus point.
Last Updated: 27/02/11 5:36pm
Ospreys claimed their third straight win with victory over Connacht, veteran hooker Mefin Davies' try five minutes into injury time securing a bonus point.
The Ospreys, who were missing 25 players - 16 on representative duty and nine on a lengthening injury list, had to come back from behind twice in the first half before they could stamp their authority on the contest.
The home side enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first period but trailed on two occasions - 3-0 and 8-3.
Connacht took the lead in the third minute with a long-range Ian Keatley penalty, following a lineout infringement.
For the next 20 minutes it was all the Ospreys, although all they had to show for it was a short-range Biggar drop-goal just when a try looked certain to be coming their way.
The Ospreys were then stunned by Connacht scoring a try from their first legitimate attack. Keatley's break set up wing Brian Tuohy, who put his captain Jonny O'Connor over in the right corner.
Two Dan Biggar penalties came either side of a fine try for Richard Fussell, who ran a clever angle onto Beck's pass, although the killer pass looked suspiciously forward.
Scorch in
There was no such doubt about the Ospreys' second try three minutes into the second half, which saw Wales wing Tom Prydie scorch in down the left touchline after good work from Fussell, Beck and Sonny Parker.
And it was Parker who went in for the Ospreys' third try on 61 minutes after some good work by replacement prop Ryan Bevington.
But the Ospreys lost their way for the next 15 minutes and were forced to defend before conceding a try by lock Mike Swift.
The home side, however, regrouped and in a final push for the fourth try drove a five-metre line-out which saw 38-year-old replacement Davies emerge from a pile of bodies having scored the vital try.
The win takes the Welsh side up to second place in the table, nine points adrift of leaders Munster.
