ULSTER WIN BUT FAIL TO LAND BONUS

ULSTER battled back for a relatively comfortable win over the Ospreys in Ravenhill last night but failed to land the bonus point they need to exert maximum pressure on Conference A leaders Leinster. The four points they did gain put Dan McFarland’s side one point behind defending Pro14 champions Leinster ahead of next week’s crunch clash between the sides in Belfast, though the Dubliners can extend their lead at the top when they take on Glasgow at the RDS tomorrow. After being put under huge pressure by a spirited Ospreys outfit, Ulster roared back in the second half through a score from John Andrew and a penalty try and were unlucky not to get over for a fourth touchdown, with Rob Lyttle (above) having three efforts ruled out. Their other touchdown came from scrum-half John Cooney, who also kicked two conversions. Ospreys sole try came from Keelan Giles, converted by Steven Myler. ULSTER: M Lowry; R Lyttle, J Hume, S McCloskey, J Stockdale (R Baloucoune 41); I Madigan (M Faddes 73), J Cooney (A Mathewson 59); A Warwick (E O’Sullivan 51), J Andrew (A McBurney 63), M Moore (R Kane 51); A O’Connor, K Treadwell (C Izuchukwu 63); G Jones (S Reidy 51), J Murphy (capt), N Timoney. Scorers — Tries: Cooney, Andrew, penalty try. Cons: Cooney (2). OSPREYS: D Evans; K Giles, T ThomasWheeler, K Williams, L Morgan (S Venter 73); S Myler, R Webb (capt); G Thomas (N Smith 59), S Parry (I Phillips 51), T Botha (M Fia 51); L Ashley, R Davies; W Griffiths, O Cracknell (D Cross 46), M Morris (G Evans 66). Scorers - Try: Giles. Cons: Myler. Referee: S Gallagher (Ireland).