Second half sin-binnings for Mike McComish and Frank Murphy proved costly for Connacht as the Ospreys, helped by 2009 Lions Mike Phillips and James Hook, came from behind to post a 19-12 Magners League win over the hosts at the Sportsground on Friday.
A productive third quarter, during which they tallied up ten points, earned the Ospreys their opening Magners League points as they overcame the challenge of Connacht at the Sportsground.
Teenage out-half Dan Biggar accounted for most of the visitors’ total, while the only try of the night from debutant flanker Jerry Collins was ultimately the score which decided the game.
Connacht, who had newcomers Brian Tuohy, Bernie Upton and Mike McComish in their starting line-up, were keen to kickstart their Magners League run in a positive fashion.
They made a determined start to the game, with Keith Matthews threatening early on, but Biggar edged the Ospreys ahead with a left-sided drop goal in the ninth minute.
Connacht made amends and as their supporters became more vocal, the hosts began to press more and more in attack.
The Ospreys were forced into defensive mode for long periods of the opening half, with wind-backed Connacht teeing up two attacking lineouts in the visitors’ 22.
Their execution was off, however, at the set piece and they had out-half Ian Keatley to thank for their 6-3 half-time lead.
Indeed both of Keatley’s first half penalties arrived in a three-minute spell, which saw the recent Ireland cap most impressive.
He dummied his way through on a 28-metre break, immediately after slotting over his side’s opening score.
Keatley found centre Niva Ta’auso up in support, the Ospreys got back in numbers though to thwart any chance of a try.
Connacht did gain a penalty from the ensuing phase. Both sides enjoyed spells of dominance before the interval, but both Keatley and Biggar blazed wide of the posts from penalty kicks.
The Ospreys were dealt a considerable blow with the sin-binning of lock Andy Lloyd, five minutes before half-time.
But Sean Holley’s men came out an inspired force on the restart, dominating possession and putting Connacht under serious pressure up front.
When Connacht lost McComish to the sin-bin for an offside decision and then Murphy followed suit, in more controversial circumstances, the hosts were really up against it.
Murphy’s yellow card was certainly a harsh decision and a major turning point as the Ospreys used their numerical advantage to chalk up ten quickfire points.
Biggar kicked two penalties in the third quarter and on the hour mark, a powerful forward drive ended with Collins crashing over for the only try.
The Ospreys had chances to build on their lead but a lone penalty from replacement James Hook was all they could muster in the closing 20 minutes.
To their credit, Connacht clawed their way back into the game and two more Keatley kicks earned them a losing bonus point for a typically committed showing.
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