Ospreys unable to prevent Munster from claiming title
James Hook grabbed 19 points
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Thursday, 30, Apr 2009 10:22
Munster have been crowned Magners League champions after the Ospreys failed to gain a bonus point win over the Newport-Gwent Dragons.
The Ospreys overcame their Welsh rivals 27-18, but it wasn't enough as they are now 10 points behind Munster with only two games left of the season.
Shaun Connor gave the Dragons an early lead with a penalty, before Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar got his side level with a drop-goal. Connor added another penalty before the opening try of the game, which came via the Ospreys.
It came from a restart which Tommy Bowe collected and then passed on to James Hook, who brushed aside Dan Lydiate to cross the try-line. Hook was unsuccessful with the conversion, but kicked a penalty after 25 minutes.
The Dragons lost flanker Jamie Ringer, who was sin-binned for tackling Lee Byrne while the full-back was in the air collecting a high ball.
But being a man down didn't seem to affect the Dragons as two more penalties from Connor gave them a 12-11 lead.
Hook kicked his second penalty when Dragons centre Rory Sidey was penalised for killing the ball at the breakdown.
Shane Williams then lit up the game with a typical break from midfield as the lightning quick wing broke through the Dragons defence to score the second try for the Ospreys.
Connor kicked three more penalties to keep the Dragons in the game, but Hook was equally accurate with his kicking as he converted another penalty and a drop-goal to secure the win for the Ospreys.