Replacement out-half Dan Biggar brought speed and directness to the Welsh backline and it was his perfectly weighted chip that led to a try for young Philips.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Connacht hit back soon after with, arguably, their try of the season.

Dunne's delicate touch brought him through a gap in the Ospreys' line. The out-half then re-gathered before flicking the ball back inside to the on-rushing Matthews, who celebrated his inclusion in Ireland A's Churchill Cup squad by racing under the posts. Dunne added the easy extras.

The inevitable raft of substitutions from both benches disjointed the closing stages before the Ospreys' sub scrum-half Martin Roberts wormed his way over from close range.

The acknowledgment by the players of the faithful Connacht supporters was both appreciated and well-deserved, but there was a real sense of frustration in the air about what might have been had their side applied themselves in this way throughout the season.

Connacht:
Tries: Treviranus, Matthews (2)
Cons: Dunne (3)
Pens: Dunne

Neath-Swansea Ospreys:
Tries: Phillips, Roberts
Cons: Biggar (2)
Pens: Connor, Biggar

Connacht: G Duffy; O Treviranus, M Deane, K Matthews, D Riordan; A Dunne, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris, A Browne, A Farley (capt), J Muldoon, J O'Connor, C Rigney.
Replacements: M McCarthy for Muldoon, blood, 43-52 mins and for Browne, 68 mins; R Loughney for O'Connor, temp, 55-64 mins, and for Wilkinson, 64 mins; B McGovern for Morris, 58 mins; C O'Loughlin for Rigney, 62 mins; J Fogarty for Flavin, 67 mins; D Yapp for Deane, 69 mins.

Ospreys: G Owen; L Bevan, M Taylor, J Spratt, K Phillips; S Connor, R Webb; P James, R Hibbard, C Griffiths, A Lloyd, L Bateman, M Holah, S Tandy, T Smith.
Replacements: M Powell for Lloyd, 39 mins; M Roberts for Webb, 56 mins; D Biggar for connor, 56 mins; E Shervington for Hibbard, 58 mins; A Thomas for Bevan, 58 mins; R Pitman for Tandy, 69 mins; R Bevington for Griffiths, 69 mins.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment