James Hook primed the Ospreys for their shot a cup double after inspiring a comfortable win over Ulster in the Magners League. Hook showed no let up from his Grand Slam form as he capped a man of the match display with 15 points, including the game’s opening try.
And the Wales fly half had a hand in two more as Shane Williams and Nikki Walker wrapped up a bonus point 32-7 victory at the Liberty Stadium. The victory lifted the defending Magners League champions both in the table, up to sixth, and for their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash against Saracens next week.
Coach Lyn Jones said: “This was just the sort of game we needed before going into the European cup game against Saracens.
“Ulster were well prepared and they know how to play against us. They made life very difficult and tried to close things down, but the team worked hard to break the game open and scored some good tries.
“I’m delighted with the result because this was a must-win game as far as the Magners League is concerned, But I was also happy with the blend in the team. It’s a difficult challenge trying to get the right mix in the team with some very big games coming up.”
Young forwards Ben Lewis and Tom Smith impressed in the back row and Johnny Vaughton had his most effective game in Ospreys colours for some time at fullback. But the team to face Saracens should all-but pick itself, particularly with Justin Marshall stepping up once again following the loss of Mike Phillips for the rest of the season.
The Ospreys emerged unscathed from an early battering by the visitors but a yellow card for Ulster prop Tom Court signalled a green light for the hosts to storm into a 15-0 lead. Hook skipped past three tacklers for the opener before Nikki Walker stormed through moments later against the 14 men.
Ireland’s Tommy Bowe will call the Liberty Stadium home next season but his burst set up Kieron Dawson’s score to offer Ulster a glimmer of light just before half-time. But Williams scorched over twice in the space of four minutes to extend his sensational scoring run for the Ospreys and Wales and send his region marching into Europe on a high.
Jones added: “It’s easy to keep complimenting the likes of Shane Williams and James Hook because they showed again what class players they are. But there are plenty of unsung players in our team who made this win happen such as the back row.”
Ospreys: J Vaughton; N Walker, S Parker (J Spratt, 70), A Bishop, S Williams (R Webb, 73); J Hook (S Connor, 73), J Marshall; D Jones (P James, 70), H Bennett (R Hibbard, 60), C Griffiths, I Gough, I Evans (AW Jones, 65), T Smith (R Jones, 59), F Tiatia (capt), B Lewis
Ulster: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Wallace (R Dewey, 54), M Bartholomeusz; N O’Connor, I Boss; B Young (T Court, 78), R Best (capt), T Court (D Fitzpatrick, 73, N Brady, 78), J Harrison, R Caldwell, M McCullough (R Wilson, 65), K Dawson (D Fitzpatrick, 28-30, G Webb, 68), S Ferris
