by James Dodd
Date: 24/01/2021
Venue: The Sportsground
Competition: Guinness Pro14
AN impressive second half comeback saw the Ospreys claim a bonus point win after trailing 17-5 at half time.
A brace from player of the match Rhys Webb as well as tries from George North and Mat Protheroe helped the Welsh team get their first away win in Ireland since September 2016.
Veteran Stephen Myler added three out of the four conversions.
Connacht scored two first half tries thanks to Alex Wootton and Paul Boyle, whilst Conor Fitzgerald slotted ten points from the boot.
It was clear from the very start that both teams were in an attacking mood. A long-floated pass to Connacht’s Wootton almost resulted in a score, but it was deemed as clearly forward by referee Frank Murphy.
The Welsh region were then given their opportunity. A wonderful missed pass started the move off and slick handling by captain Justin Tipuric and Dan Evans resulted in North scoring in the corner. The extras were missed.
Ospreys continued their bright start but couldn’t quite finish the final touch. Link up play between Sam Parry and Tipuric from a lineout led to the hooker making 20 metres on the wing. A quick pop pass by Adam Beard then gave Rhys Davies the chance to stretch his legs. An eventual knock on saved the hosts.
The momentum then started to shift towards the Irish side.
Hands in the ruck by Parry meant Fitzgerald put the hosts first points on the board with a penalty.
Things then got even better for the Galway side. A loose forward pass by Kieran Williams was intercepted by Fitzgerald who then fed Wootton for a 70m run in. Fitzgerald slotted the conversion.
The tie had now swayed in favour of the hosts. After several infringements, Tipuric saw yellow for changing his bind in the maul.
Connacht found themselves with an attacking 5m scrum. The ball was picked up by number eight Boyle and passed to Kieran Marmion who delicately returned the favour back to Boyle for the Irishman to crash over.
The conversion was once again added, and Connacht found themselves going into the break with a 12-point advantage.
Despite being a man down, the Ospreys started the second 40 minutes exactly how they started the first.
A long pass by Protheroe gave North and Williams essential carries before the key offload back to Protheroe for the score. Myler put his first points over to reduce the gap to five.
The scores kept coming. After working their way back down the field, the visitors found themselves metres away from their opponents’ line after a successful maul. Webb then carried and stepped his way over the line to level things up. Myler made it 17-19.
Connacht needed a response and they got it. Despite a solid tackle from youngster Protheroe, which led to a turnover, Connacht attacked again and Lydiate was penalised for offside.
Fitzgerald put his side back into the lead.
It was no surprise to see the lead change once again.
After ill-discipline from the home side at the scrum, the Ospreys opted for a 5m lineout. They managed to drive over and there was no surprise to see Webb stealing the forwards effort for his brace.
Once again, Myler was accurate to take the difference to six points.
The away side managed to hold on in what was easily the game of the weekend.
The losing bonus point means Connacht jump back to second place in conference B over the Cardiff Blues, whilst the Ospreys stay third in conference A.
Connacht: John Porch, Peter Sullivan, Tom Daly, Peter Robb, Alex Wootton, Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Jarrad Butler (captain), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Matthew Burke, Conor Kenn, Niall Murray, Abraham Papali’i, Caolin Blade, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy.
Ospreys: Dan Evans, George North, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Mat Protheroe, Stephen Myler, Rhys Webb; Rhodri Jones, Sam Parry, Ma’afu Fia, Adam Beard, Rhys Davies, Will Griffiths, Justin Tipuric (captain), Dan Lydiate.
Replacements: Ifan Phillips, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Lloyd Ashley, Morgan Morris, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Josh Thomas, Keelan Giles.