Neath-Swansea Ospreys ended a run of 10 defeats on the trot with a Heineken
Cup win over Leeds at St Helen's.
The Ospreys still end the European campaign bottom of Pool 2, but that did not
matter to the team, who were just desperate to break their European duck.
You had to go back more than 100 days - October 17 - for the Ospreys' last
win.
They were indebted to a try from scrum-half Andy Williams, converted by Gavin
Henson and a penalty from Henson.
Leeds still finished the match with a bonus point that ensured they finished
third in the pool.
The Ospreys chose to play with a gale at their backs in the first half but
they would have wanted to score more than the 10 points they managed before the
break.
They were not helped early in the contest when they had a penalty awarded in a
kickable position only to see it reversed by referee Rob Dickson because of some
argy-bargy off the ball from Steve Tandy.
The match was an error-strewn contest in the first 20 minutes, not helped by
plenty of whistle from the Scottish official.
And the frustrations got the players when a fight broke out between the second
rows. Both captains were warned but no-one went into the sin bin.
But two minutes later prop Gavin Kerr was given a yellow card for illegal use
of the boot.
With Leeds down to 14 men the Ospreys took advantage and eventually scored a
try from relentless pressure, with scrum-half Williams burrowing over from close
range.
Henson converted to give the home side a 7-0 lead on 27 minutes.
Just before half-time Henson was on target with a long-range penalty.
With Leeds having the benefit of an increasing gale on their backs they got on
the scoreboard with a Gordon Ross penalty on 50 minutes.
The Ospreys tried to respond immediately and were awarded a penalty at a scrum
but even from close range Henson's kick was blown off target.
In the final minutes the Ospreys had to endure huge amount of pressure from
Leeds but their greater desire for the win paid dividends in the end.
Teams:
Neath-Swansea Ospreys: Durston, Terblanche, Brayley, Tiueti,
S. Williams, Henson, A. Williams, D. Jones, B. Williams,
Millward, Newman, J. Thomas, Bater, Tandy, Lloyd.
Not Used: Bennett, A. Jones, Tait, Pugh, Connor, M. Jones,
Bonner-Evans.
Tries: A. Williams.
Cons: Henson.
Pens: Henson.
Leeds: Cardey, Botham, Christophers, Snyman, Scarbrough, Ross,
Dickens, Cusack, Regan, Kerr, Murphy, Palmer, Morgan, Persico,
Rigney.
Not Used: Rawlinson, Holt, Hooper, Popham, Stuart-Smith, Hodge,
Davies.
Pens: Ross.
Att: 2,000
Ref: Rob Dickson (SRFU).
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