Depleted Ospreys fightback in vain

Jan 6 2008 Wales On Sunday

Leinster 26-15 Ospreys

LEINSTER picked up a bonus point win to confirm their status as Magners League table-toppers with a fully merited victory at the RDS last night.

But a shadow Ospreys side nevertheless displayed great resolve in defeat.

The Welsh region may have their important Heineken Cup tie against Gloucester in mind, and though they conceded four tries, an impressive closing 30 minutes with give them plenty hope for next weekend.

They arrived minus four high profile players, with Gavin Henson (hand), Sonny Parker (knee), Mark Taylor (hamstring) and Shane Williams (leg) all out injured.

All are expected to be available for selection against Gloucester in the big European showdown next weekend. Leinster can be pleased with a performance that will stand them in good stead before facing mighty Toulouse next week with scrum half Chris Keane picking up the man of the match award.

Leinster – as is their wont – endeavoured to move the ball through the hands from the first whistle.

A combination of bullying work by their forwards and neat offloads almost provided their first try on nine minutes, the chance wasted by wing Luke Fitzgerald.

It was a let-off for Ospreys who were put under unrelenting pressure in the early stages.

However, if Lynn Jones’s side struggled for primary possession and any semblance of go-forward ball, their defence was nevertheless willing. Leinster’s backline were creating the space and knitting together some superb patterns, but handling errors, coupled with an apparent nervousness peppered their play.

Instead their first try arrived via their pack, which was cohesive and hardworking.

Working the ball into the red zone, O’Kelly gathered from a five metre lineout, Leinster drove over the line with Shane Jennings getting the final touchdown. Contepomi added the extras.

Three minutes later the home side had added their second try with the best performer on the park, Felipe Contepomi, central to the move.

Clever offloads inside their own 10-metre line saw the Argentine set Fitzgerald off on a gallop down the left touchline, who completed a second one-two with Contepomi before offloading to Jamie Heaslip who ran under the posts. Contepomi made it 14-0.

Shaun Connor did get the Ospreys’ scoreboard ticking with a 32nd minute penalty before being the man at the end of their first try four minutes later.

With their forwards finally getting their hands on good possession and building the phases, they moved the ball left inside the 22 before Mike Phillips found the impressive Connor, who left Heaslip for dead and darted for the corner.

Unluckily for the Ospreys the out half he saw his touchline conversion attempt strike the upright.

Leinster increased the pressure and slick passing out wide by Sexton and Contepomi saw Stephen Keogh burst through for Leinster’s third. Contepomi added the conversion to help Leinster to a 19-8 half time lead and Leinster again came flying out of the blocks after the interval.

They secured the bonus point in the 51st minute. Before this, Mike Phillips was sent to the bin after getting his second warning of the match form referee Peter Allan.

Again Leinster’s pack produced good clean ball for the back line and with Ospreys again stretched by the pace of the Leinster attack, Dempsey put Fitzgerald through in the corner. Contepomi converted from the touchline before being replaced on 53 minutes.

Ospreys never stopped trying and the industry of their pack saw Andrew Lloyd get the touchdown from a close in drive in the 75th minute. Connor added the conversion.

Leinster were then reduced to 14 men when Stephen Knoop was sinbinned.