Brilliant Ospreys lift under-fire Lyn

Apr 14 2008 Western Mail

Ospreys player ratings

JONATHAN VAUGHTON:Didn’t let anyone down. Produced an important, ball-stripping tackle on Tuilagi. SONNY PARKER:Not that prominent, but sound in defence. No repeat of the errors during the Euro exit at the hands of Sarries. ANDREW BISHOP:Filled injured Gavin Henson’s boots with aplomb. Showed real determination to bust through for his try.SHANE WILLIAMS:Maybe Tried a little too much at times. Put his team in trouble once when caught in possession. JAMES HOOK:Gave the scoring passes for both his side’s tries and kicked 13 points. His running was always a threat. JUSTIN MARSHALL:Had a bit of a ropey start, kicking out on the full and missing a couple of tackles, but grew in stature. PAUL JAMES:Stood up impressively to the scrummaging challenge posed by the mighty Martin Castrogiovanni.RICHARD HIBBARD:Drive up the middle ahead of Bishop’s try was just one of countless carries from this 24-year-old powerhouse. ADAM JONES:Strong in the tight, but so much more than just a scrummager. Made numerous tackles, eager to get the ball. ALYN WYN JONES:Where does he get his energy from? Never stopped working , a key ball-winner at the lineout and on hand for a try.IAN EVANS:Secured his own lineout ball and pressurised the Tigers.. Not about to take a backward step against abrasive side. RYAN JONES:His coach hailed him as the Lions captain in waiting and you can see why after this inspirational performance.FILO TIATIA:A one-man wrecking ball, this ageless Kiwi is just indestructible. Played a key role. MARTY HOLAH:Wouldn’t have enjoyed coming second best – to Richard Hill – last week. Was soon back as breakdown boss.Replacements: Huw Bennett for Hibbard (67), Ian Gough for Evans (69), Jonathan Thomas for Tiatia (69), Duncan Jones for James (71), Paul James for Adam Jones (74), Jonathan Spratt for Bishop (76), Gareth Owen for Hook (77), Aled Brew for Vaughton (77)Leicester: J Murphy; O Smith, D Hipkiss, A Mauger, A Tuilagi (T Varndell 76); A Goode, H Ellis; B Stankovich (J White 52), G Chuter, M Castrogiovanni (B Stankovich 73/B Keyser 75), L Deacon, B Kay, M Corry (capt), J Crane, B Herring (T Croft 58). Didn’t let anyone down. Produced an important, ball-stripping tackle on Tuilagi.

SONNY PARKER:Not that prominent, but sound in defence. No repeat of the errors during the Euro exit at the hands of Sarries.

ANDREW BISHOP:Filled injured Gavin Henson’s boots with aplomb. Showed real determination to bust through for his try.

SHANE WILLIAMS:Maybe Tried a little too much at times. Put his team in trouble once when caught in possession.

JAMES HOOK:Gave the scoring passes for both his side’s tries and kicked 13 points. His running was always a threat.

JUSTIN MARSHALL:Had a bit of a ropey start, kicking out on the full and missing a couple of tackles, but grew in stature.

PAUL JAMES:Stood up impressively to the scrummaging challenge posed by the mighty Martin Castrogiovanni.

RICHARD HIBBARD:Drive up the middle ahead of Bishop’s try was just one of countless carries from this 24-year-old powerhouse.

ADAM JONES:Strong in the tight, but so much more than just a scrummager. Made numerous tackles, eager to get the ball.

ALYN WYN JONES:Where does he get his energy from? Never stopped working , a key ball-winner at the lineout and on hand for a try.

IAN EVANS:Secured his own lineout ball and pressurised the Tigers.. Not about to take a backward step against abrasive side.

RYAN JONES:His coach hailed him as the Lions captain in waiting and you can see why after this inspirational performance.

FILO TIATIA:A one-man wrecking ball, this ageless Kiwi is just indestructible. Played a key role.

MARTY HOLAH:Wouldn’t have enjoyed coming second best – to Richard Hill – last week. Was soon back as breakdown boss.

Replacements: Huw Bennett for Hibbard (67), Ian Gough for Evans (69), Jonathan Thomas for Tiatia (69), Duncan Jones for James (71), Paul James for Adam Jones (74), Jonathan Spratt for Bishop (76), Gareth Owen for Hook (77), Aled Brew for Vaughton (77)

Leicester: J Murphy; O Smith, D Hipkiss, A Mauger, A Tuilagi (T Varndell 76); A Goode, H Ellis; B Stankovich (J White 52), G Chuter, M Castrogiovanni (B Stankovich 73/B Keyser 75), L Deacon, B Kay, M Corry (capt), J Crane, B Herring (T Croft 58).

See pictrures of the Ospreys victory