Leeds Tykes made a successful Heineken Cup debut with an opening victory over
the Ospreys.
But they had to endure an Ospreys comeback in the second half that saw the
Welshmen creep back to within three points.
Gordon Ross, who kicked 19 points, put over three second-half penalties to
ensure victory.
The Ospreys went into the game having been disrupted by injuries to key
players.
Wales full-back Gavin Henson broke a hand against Leinster last Saturday and
loosehead prop Paul James pulled out in the run up to the game with a serious
neck injury that will sideline him for up to four months.
It meant the Welsh side were forced to play tighthead prop Andrew Millward on
the loosehead.
The Ospreys had to endure a torrid opening with the home side enjoying almost
exclusive use of the ball.
And the pressure took its toll with Aaron Persico taking advantage of an
overlap on the left to score the first try on nine minutes, converted by Gordon
Ross.
The Ospreys responded almost immediately with a break by outside-half Shaun
Connor, who sent Shane Williams on a 20-metre run to the line.
Connor's conversion put the Ospreys on level terms at 7-7 after 11 minutes.
But for much of the rest of the half it was all Leeds as the Ospreys had
problems securing line-out ball, gave away penalties and missed tackles.
Ross kicked penalties on 22 and 28 minutes and opened up a 20-7 lead when
South Africa centre Andre Snyman went over for the second converted try on the
half-hour.
But Leeds' interval advantage could have been more than 13 points as Ross was
off target with a dropped goal and two late penalty attempts.
After a series of mistakes Ospreys centre Dave Tiueti was withdrawn from the
action and replaced by club captain Scott Gibbs.
The change proved inspired as Gibbs scored with his first touch, helping
Nathan Bonner-Evans over the line from a scrum.
And, when Connor popped over a drop goal 18 minutes into the second half, the
Ospreys found themselves just three points adrift at 20-17.
After a dreadful first half, the Ospreys gradually improved, but Shaun Connor
failed with a 69th-minute penalty shot that would have levelled the scores.
At the other end Ross opened Leeds' second half scoring three minutes later
with a penalty which went over off the left upright.
And Ross extended his side's lead to 26-17 three minutes after that, a score
cancelled out by a Connor penalty.
But a fifth Ross penalty in injury time sealed the victory and also denied the
Ospreys a losing bonus point
Teams
Leeds: Albanese, Rees, Snyman, Davies, Christophers, Ross,
Stuart-Smith, Shelley, Regan, Powell, Hooper, Murphy, Persico,
Ponton, Popham.
Replacements: Scarbrough for Christophers (59),
Holt for Regan (80), Rigney for Ponton (60).
Not Used: Cusack, Salter, Walker, Walsh.
Tries: Persico, Snyman.
Cons: Ross 2.
Pens: Ross 5.
Neath-Swansea Ospreys: Durston, Terblanche, Storey, Tiueti,
S. Williams, Connor, A. Williams, Millward, B. Williams,
A. Jones, Newman, Llewellyn, G. Thomas, Bonner-Evans, J. Thomas.
Replacements: Gibbs for Tiueti (47).
Not Used: M. Jones, Seveali'i, Bennett, Jones., Tait, Tandy.
Tries: S. Williams, Gibbs.
Cons: Connor 2.
Pens: Connor.
Drop Goals: Connor.
Att: 3,755
Ref: G M Davies (Wales).
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