Connacht Go Down Fighting Against Ospreys

Connacht came away from the Liberty Stadium with a deserved losing bonus point as Niall O’Connor kicked a late penalty and drop goal in a 26-21 defeat to the Ospreys.

Captain Gavin Duffy crossed for Connacht’s first try in the 24th minute, with the westerners 17-10 behind at the break mainly due to the concession of converted tries from Barry Davies and Hanno Dirksen.

The second half was an exciting affair and Eric Elwood’s men, although not being able to reel in the home side, salvaged a losing bonus point thanks to another Duffy try and Niall O’Connor’s precise kicking.

But just as he did against Ulster at this Swansea venue last weekend, Dan Biggar kicked the Ospreys home with a series of penalties – four in all, three of which came in the second half.

With Swansea city experiencing an Indian summer, the clash between the Ospreys and Connacht kicked off in perfect conditions at the Liberty Stadium.

It was the home side that started the brighter with full-back Davies sliding in for a try after just six minutes. Number 10 Biggar stood up and slotted the difficult conversion. He added a penalty to stretch the lead to 10-0.

That all changed when his opposite number O’Connor kicked for territory, following a penalty against Richard Fussell on the halfway line.

Connacht retained the ball through a number of phases and when the Ospreys defence had been sucked in, full-back Duffy crashed over for his second try in as many league games.

O’Connor nailed the touchline conversion to reduce the arrears to three points, giving Elwood’s charges some additional encouragement.

However, Dirksen slid in for a try following some slick hands by the Ospreys back-line which left the winger free in the middle of the pitch. Biggar added the extras as the Ospreys regained control.

O’Connor tagged on a late penalty, making it 17-10 at the interval, and the second half raced along as both sides continued to move the ball wide with great intent.

Ospreys lock Ian Gough saw yellow for a punch and just four minutes later, Duffy was through for his second try of the night.

Man-of-the-match Biggar was the player who sealed the result for the Welsh region, slotting over three penalties in the concluding 25 minutes.

But Connacht, who travel to the RDS to face Leinster next Saturday, snaffled a bonus point for the journey home. O’Connor coolly landed a penalty and a last-minute drop goal to take his tally for the game to 11 points.