Ospreys kick their way to victory over Leinster

OSPREYS 25 LEINSTER 19

Ospreys kick their way to victory over Leinster

OSPREYS 25 LEINSTER 19

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar kicked 20 points as Pro12 leaders Leinster went down to the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

It made it a week to forget for the Irish province who were knocked out of the Heineken Cup by Toulon last Sunday.

Leinster had got back to 19-19 going into the last 10 minutes but Biggar put over a drop goal and his fifth penalty to give the Welshmen a famous victory.

Ospreys had needed a win to keep up their challenge for a place in the top four and a spot in the end-of-season play-offs.

Leinster, who rested Brian O’Driscoll, began the evening with a five-point cushion over Irish-rivals Munster in second place and had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Ospreys were without scrum-half Rhys Webb (knee surgery) and hooker Richard Hibbard (shoulder surgery) – both doubts for Wales’ summer tour to South Africa.

Leinster looked the much stronger team early on as they took a 3-0 lead through outside-half Jimmy Gopperth on the 10-minute mark.

But a couple of cheap penalties allowed the home side into a 6-3 advantage with two Biggar penalties – one when scrum-half Isaac Boss was blown up for obstruction.

The business end of the first half produced two tries, one for each side.

Ospreys breezed into a 13-3 lead when wing Jeff Hassler was put over in the right corner, a score converted by Biggar.

But two minutes from the interval Leinster cut the deficit to only three points as they drove a line-out with prop Cian Healey emerging from a pile of bodies as the scorer; Gopperth converted.

Ospreys, with Dan Baker playing well at No. 8, were given some breathing space at the start of the second half when two Biggar penalties on 43 and 49 put them 19-10 in front.

But Leinster edged their way back on level terms Gopperth putting over three consecutive penalties.

It made for a grandstand finish but Ospreys were put in front again with a neat Biggar drop goal from the 22 line.

And he followed that up three minutes from time with a penalty that left Leinster more than a little frustrated.

more courts articles

Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

Tadhg Beirne leads his team through the team tunnel dejected after the game 7/4/2024 Munster undecided on permanent captain as Tadhg Beirne again leads side in South Africa
Dublin v Meath - Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final Leinster and Northampton sell out Croke Park for Champions Cup semi-final
Pete Wilkins 21/10/2023 Wilkins sets point target for Connacht to secure Champions Cup place
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited