Ospreys spoil Munster party
Ospreys spoil Munster party
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Friday, 05, May 2006 09:54
The Ospreys dented Munster's Celtic League title aspirations with a comprehensive 27-10 victory at the Liberty Stadium.
The Heineken Cup finalists stay fourth in the table after being outplayed by a rampant home side, who now look like securing the sixth place that would ensure qualification for next year's Heineken.
A second Gavin Henson penalty was all that separated the sides at the break after Shane Williams' try was cancelled out by Munster's penalty try.
But the Ospreys cut loose after the break with tries from Williams and Jason Spice as the visitors were shut out.
Henson converted all three tries in a faultless kicking display as he played in an unfamiliar full-back role.
Ronan O'Gara's first penalty on 13 minutes got the scoreboard ticking over, but the Ospreys soon responded with Williams' spectacular solo try.
The winger, who signed a new three-year contract this week, shrugged off O'Gara's attempted midfield tackle and raced home from 20 metres after a trademark sidestep beat the covering defence to score his first Celtic League try this season.
Munster had been surprisingly subdued until then, but the Heineken Cup finalists put the Ospreys under severe pressure in the last five minutes of the half.
The unrelenting forward drives led to a yellow card for Ospreys prop and captain Duncan Jones and the referee eventually gave a penalty try.
But the Ospreys pulled away in the second period, with Williams scoring his second after an attacking scrum and Spice powering over from close range.
In the evening's other game, Edinburgh beat Connaucht 22-16 in Ireland, after the home side had led 10-3 at half time.
Tom Tierney scored for the home side, but second half scores from Alasdair Dickinson and Marcus Di Rollo, and a penalty try, sealed the win for the Gunners.