Ospreys 8 Leinster 13DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Leinster overtook Munster at the top of the Magners League following a gutsy second-half display against the Ospreys last night.
Having failed to register a point in the first half, Gordon D’Arcy scored a try that was converted by Felipe Contepomi who also kicked two penalties as Leinster’s old heads got the better of the Ospreys youngsters.
It was hardly vintage stuff from the champions, but on such victories are titles won as Leinster dug themselves from having been out-played in the first half to winning what could yet be a crucial game in the battle for the Magners League crown.
Leinster coach Michael Cheika said: “It wasn’t the prettiest of games and we know we didn’t play well in the first half. But we were able to step up through the gears in the second half, especially in that first 20 minutes. We’re starting to find the ability to dig out results and sometimes it’s about being plucky, rather than flashy. Last year the wins away from home got us the title and this will be an important result in terms of the title. It looks as if it will go down to the wire.”
Leinster completed the double last season over the then league holders Ospreys, and both teams went into this tie knowing their title aspirations would take a significant step in either direction on the outcome.
There was less than a try between these teams in the league, separated on points difference behind leaders Munster, but Ospreys assistant coach Jon Humphreys admitted before kick-off that last night’s loser would no longer have destiny in their own hands.
Leinster started with the upper hand following the return of Ireland stars D’Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan and Malcolm O’Kelly while the Ospreys fielded an almost entire second-string side in the absence of 14 international players, including Tommy Bowe.
Dan Biggar, James Hook’s young understudy, pushed the first scoring opportunity wide with his eighth-minute penalty before Shane Jennings almost turned defence into the game’s opening try. Jennings pounced when the Ospreys spilled possession in midfield under pressure, putting leather to the ball. Jennings lost the foot-race with Ed Shirvington.
His Leinster team-mates galloped to catch up as the Ospreys defence scrambled back and the video official ruled Rocky Elsom was beaten to the loose ball by Cai Griffiths.
Isa Nacewa left the fray on a stretcher with his right knee heavily strapped just 10 minutes later. Simon Keogh took his place on the left wing but it was in the scrums where Leinster needed an extra man as Stan Wright struggled to get to grips with Ospreys captain Paul James.
With that platform, the young Ospreys backs had time and space to mount several ambitious moves from the training ground. The Ospreys grew in confidence as they got the better of the set-piece exchanges and it was from a lineout that they broke the deadlock on 36 minutes.
Leinster only half-cleared their lines after repelling the burst from Filo Tiatia. Jonny Vaughton straightened the attack and Sonny Parker proved too strong to bring down, first for Cameron Jowitt, then Paul O’Donohoe and Wright’s effort was too late to stop the Wales centre crawling over.
Biggar’s conversion struck the post and the Ospreys led 5-0 at half-time.
Jowitt made way for Sean O’Brien at half-time as Cheika looked to reverse the flow of the game and it paid off immediately as Leinster’s chasers wrapped up Gareth Owen, winning a penalty that Contepomi stroked over from distance on 42 minutes to hand his team a much-needed pick-me-up.
Then Jonathan Sexton’s cross-field kick saw Elsom almost put D’Arcy through. Biggar missed a second penalty and Leinster felt the initiative swing their way.
Leinster stepped up the pressure and the Ospreys buckled as Tiatia was shown the yellow card. Contepomi converted the penalty to hand Leinster the lead for the first time on 53 minutes and then revelled in the space offered in the absence of the former All Black’s covering defence for the try.
Contepomi gave his young opposite number a harsh lesson, brushing past before offloading to D’Arcy who showed a neat step as well as plenty of determination to barge past the last defender and score between the posts.
Contepomi converted and Leinster were finally in control at 13-5 before digging in their heels for the final 20 minutes.
OSPREYS: G Owen (J Spratt, 60); K Phillips (D Bishop, 14, R Wells, 74), S Parker, A Bishop, J Vaughton; D Biggar, J Nutbrown; P James (capt), E Shirvington (S Baldwin, 79), C Griffiths (C Mitchell, 79), F Levi, A Lloyd (S Tandy, 65), T Smith, F Tiatia, M Holah.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, F McFadden (J Sexton, 47), G D'Arcy, I Nacewa (S Keogh, 24); F Contepomi, P O'Donohoe (C Whitaker, 47); C Healy, B Jackman (B Blaney, 49), S Wright, T Horgan (D Toner, 60), M O'Kelly, C Jowitt (S O'Brien, H-T), R Elsom, S Jennings (capt).
Referee: P Fitzgibbon (Scotland).
