Ospreys on rise despite Kinghorn controversy

Ospreys ................ 31pts Edinburgh ............ 22pts

Tries: Howells 13, Baker 19, Fia 33, Giles 45 Conversions: Davies 14, 20, 34, 46 Penalties: Davies 7 Tries: Helu 8, B Kinghorn 29, V Mata 79 Conversions: Weir 30, 80 Penalties: Weir 38 STEVE Tandy slammed referee Dudley Phillips despite seeing his team keep the heat on Munster at the top of the PRO12.

Tries from Dafydd Howells, Dan Baker, Ma’afu Fia and Keelan Giles earned a bonus-point 31-22 triumph over Edinburgh.

Blair Kinghorn scored a controversial try after Damien Hoyland took Ospreys full-back Dan Evans out off the ball, to add to scores from Will Helu and Villame Mata, but it was not enough to end a seven game losing run away from home.

“I think the decision was borderline ridiculous,” said Ospreys boss Tandy. “When you see this game we knew Edinburgh wouldn’t be the only frustrating factor, when you get a decision like that, it’s pretty laughable.

“We’ve got five points at home again but we left a few opportunities and conceded a few sloppy tries.”

Edinburgh lost centre Chris Dean to a nasty knee injury two minutes into the game and they went behind moments later when Sam Davies struck a penalty. But the Wales flyhalf then had a clearing kick charged down, and Edinburgh spread the ball wide to replacement Glenn Bryce, who sent Helu over at the corner.

But the lead was shortlived when Davies put Howells through in midfield and the twice-capped wing hared past Kinghorn to score for a 10-5 lead.

The Ospreys pack then shunted Edinburgh off their own scrum ball for Baker to scoop up the ball and score, but they were back in it after a moment of controversy.

Evans was waiting to take a high ball before Hoyland crashed into him and took him out of the game. The crowd erupted in protest, but the ball bounced into the hands of Kinghorn who sprinted in to cut the gap to 17-12.

Fia then barged over from close range with Davies converting, but Weir kicked a penalty to make it 24-15 at half-time.

The bonus-point was wrapped up five minutes after the break when deft handling from Alun Wyn Jones sent Giles over for his ninth try in six games.

A frustrating night for Edinburgh continued when Grant Gilchrist was binned for a ruck offence, before they had Allan Dell sin-binned for kicking out in the scrum. Mata’s try was little consolation.

Head coach Duncan Hodge said: “Two defeats in Wales in six days, that’s tough and we need to regroup.”