Ospreys edge out Ulster

The Scottish wing scored either side of half time and fly-half Shaun Connor kicked nineteen points as the Welsh region clung to a narrow lead with the Irish province battling until the final whistle. Both sides were depleted ahead of the Wales v Ireland showdown in Cardiff next Sunday, but there were still some big names in the Ospreys line up with Gavin Henson getting a rare run at fullback and Brent Cockbain in the second row.

With Wales Coach Gareth Jenkins watching, considering giving the twenty-four-year-old the No.15 shirt for the Ireland game, Henson was not in dazzling form and looked indecisive on occasions. He scythed down Tommy Bowe on one attack, only to miss a tackle on the same player moments later. He limped out of the game with a thigh strain after fifty-two minutes which might keep him out of the Millennium Stadium clash regardless of selection.

Connor landed an early drop kick and a penalty for the Ospreys but the Ulstermen were level when Paul Steinmetz kicked a pair of long range penalties. The first try came when Connor ghosted through the defence and lobbed a high pass over the defender to skipper Paul James who put Nikki Walker over in the corner for a converted try.

With half time approaching Ulster spurned the chance to kick for goal and opted for the line-out in the corner, but again the Ospreys drove them back. Steinmetz landed two penalties either side of the half-time whistle to put his side back in the game at 16-12 just after half-time.

The Ulstermen launched an intense period of pressure in Osprey territory but Connor broke from a turn over and fed hooker Huw Bennett, who fed Walker for a long-range try. Connor landed the conversion before Steinmetz kicked his fifth penalty of the night to leave Ulster trailing 23-15.

Connor kicked his second penalty of the night yet from the restart Ulster’s Stephen Ferris seized possession and charged over to put the guests back in the game at 26-22. Only a forward pass robbed Ulster of a late chance, but Connor slotted a drop goal on the final whistle to seal the win.