Ospreys empty-handed following night to forget
THE Ospreys could slide from third to sixth in Conference A if other results go against them in the Guinness PRO14 this weekend following a disappointing defeat to Ulster.
But they can’t have any complaints following such a lack-lustre display at Bridgend’s Morganstone Brewery Field.
An unconverted try from big centre Stuart McCloskey and a last-minute penalty from scrum-half John Cooney denied the Ospreys a losing bonus point.
Bradley Davies was fit to play his first game in four months for the Ospreys but his bid to mount a challenge for a place in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the World Cup ended early with him limping off.
The 64-times capped lock, who skippered Wales in Japan in 2013, had been sidelined since undergoing an operation on an injured knee last October.
Full-back Dan Evans made his 100th league appearance for the Ospreys, while emergency prop loan signing, Samoa prop Jordan Lay, also started.
Tom Habberfield had been due to start for the Ospreys but failed to appear after being taken ill and was replaced by promising prospect Matthew Aubrey at scrum-half with Reuben Morgan-Williams summoned for bench duty.
Lions lock Iain Henderson, who missed Ireland’s Six Nations defeat to England and the win over Scotland because of injury, started for Ulster.
Back-rower Jordi Murphy and influential scrum-half Cooney were also been released by Ireland coach Joe Schmidt for the clash.
Aubrey conceded a penalty early on for not releasing the ball after he was tackled while isolated but Cooney was wide with his attempt at goal.
Seconds later, Cooney dummied at the base of a ruck to make a break. He was hauled down 30m later but Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, on as a temporary replacement for Luke Morgan, offended at the breakdown.
However, the decision was reversed by South African referee Quinton Immelman after he watched footage of Henderson performing a dangerous neck roll on Wales international back-rower Sam Cross.
That enabled the Ospreys to reach the Ulster 22 for the first time but they were held-up following the lineout to concede a scrum put-in to Ulster.
Ulster had been the better side and should have got the opening try but right-wing Angus Kernohan knocked on with the line at his mercy.
The Ospreys defended resolutely and were able to clear their lines through the boot of Sam Davies following rampaging runs off the back of scrums by No.8 James King.
Although it was a perfect night for running rugby a point wasn’t scored during the first half.
Ulster had failed to make the most of their territorial advantage and abundant possession so it was the Ospreys who were probably the happier as they trudged off for the interval.
Evans marked his century of appearances for the Ospreys by getting back to brilliantly clean up and prevent an Ulster try following a clever grubber-kick by opposite number Peter Nelson early in the second half.
It took 47 minutes for the first points to be scored with McCloskey making and scoring an unconverted try for Ulster.
He beat two defenders before finding Nelson with a pass out of the back-door. Nelson was tackled just short of the try-line but McCloskey was back on his feet to dive over on the outside.
Ospreys centre Cory Allen thought he had got away when he intercepted in his 22 but team-mate Sam Cross had offended seconds before.
Ulster had a penalty, opting to put the ball into a corner, only to be held up by the Ospreys and concede a scrum.
Substitute Luke Price brought some zip at outside-half, sharpening the Ospreys attack and bringing runners on to the ball by challenging the gain-line.
But it was Ulster who finished on top through the boot of Cooney.
Ospreys: D Evans; H Dirksen, C Allen, T Thomas-Wheeler, L Morgan; S Davies (capt), M Aubrey; J Lay, S Baldwin, T Botha, L Ashley, B Davies, O Cracknell, J King, S Cross. Reps: S Otten, R Jenkins, M Fia, W Griffiths, R McCusker, R Morgan-Williams, L Price, K Giles.
Ulster: P Nelson; A Kernohan, D Cave, S McCloskey, L Ludik; M Lowry, J Cooney; E O’Sullivan, R Herring, M Moore, A O’Connor (capt), I Henderson, C Ross, N Timoney, J Murphy. Reps: J Andrew, A Warwick, T O’Toole, K Treadwell, S Reidy, D Shanahan, J Hume, R Lyttle.
Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa RU).