Magners mystery how Ospreys are where they are!

Feb 18 2008 South Wales Echo

THERE was one overriding question in everyone’s minds after watching this stroll in the park: How aren’t the Ospreys running away with this mediocre league?

The reason is obviously the fact that they haven’t won enough games, but given the strength of their squad, and the gulf in class between them and teams like Connacht, that is a complete mystery.

World Cup absenteeism and injuries disrupted Lyn Jones’ plans earlier this season to the extent where his side are now playing an impossible game of catch up in the quest for the Magners title.

But assistant coach Sean Holley conceded on Saturday night that there is no real excuse for the position his side now find themselves in.

“We have been frustrated with our form,” he admitted.

“The World Cup didn’t help us and we lost some games we shouldn’t have lost.

“But we feel we have a strong enough squad to deal with these types of games.

“At least this win shows we have some guys who can step in and beat a side like Connacht.

“We are proud to play in the Magners League.

“We have won this title twice and it has given us huge satisfaction.

“But our form in the Heineken Cup and the EDF Energy Cup has meant we have taken our eye off the ball as far as the Magners is concerned.

“It is important to us though.

“These things tend to go in cycles and we will be back challenging for this title.”

Of that there is no doubt, but for now the Ospreys are more or less going through the motions in these types of fixtures.

There was a flat feel about proceedings in Swansea and on a freezing February evening there was little on display to warm the heart.

Scrum-half Mike Phillips was a bundle of eagerness throughout and his second-half performance will have impressed watching Wales coach Warren Gatland.

The other notable footnote was the presence of Justin Marshall at full-back, but the New Zealander wasn’t really troubled in the unfamiliar role and for the most part just got on with the basics in confident and unruffled style.

The Ospreys left it until the last minute of normal time to claim the bonus point expected of them, youngster Gareth Owen cutting through to send the 7,396 crowd home with at least a little bit of spring in their step.

Two early Shaun Connor penalties set the tone for the home side, but their tendency to over-elaborate saw them squander far too many promising positions.

That frustrated the crowd and with a number of lengthy injury delays the tedium around the ground became tangible as the game entered the final quarter.

A moment of magic from Scottish wing Nikki Walker late in the first half woke the audience up when he stepped out of two Connacht tackles on the 10 metre line to outpace the Irish cover defence for a try.

Kiwi flanker Marty Holah followed him over after an initial surge by giant No.8 Filo Tiatia before the interval to help establish a 20-0 lead and it was all but game over by that stage.

Connacht had forwards Colm Rigney and Connor O’Loughlin banished to the the sin-bin during the second half and they were finished off by touchdowns from Phillips and Owen.

delme.parfitt@mediawales.co.uk