Connacht 3 Ospreys 16: CONNACHT'S PROUD unbeaten record on opening day was broken last evening by the Ospreys at the Galway Sportsground.
Not a game which would feature high in the elegance stakes, the Ospreys utilised their superior strength up front, particularly in the second half, to prevent Connacht building any momentum, and in doing so ensure Connacht would not register an eighth Celtic League victory on opening days.
The poor weather conditions always dictated this would not be a showpiece. Instead it was a day for the forwards to utilise their strength, and at the heart of this victory was an Ospreys' pack who commanded the breakdown, put pressure on the Connacht scrum, and were physically superior.
They would have been a little nervous at half time, having posted just 13 points with a wind that looked to be worth up to 20. They had ruled possession and territory but they only had a try and two penalties for their efforts which became a little ragged as the half progressed.
Hook gave Ospreys the ideal start with his opening penalty after four minutes, and with Connacht struggling in the loose against a rampant backrow, led by Ryan Jones, the home side got little change when in possession.
Strangely the Ospreys opted to take their pots at goal rather than press for territorial gain, and an ambitious kick from Hook just inside his own half very nearly had the legs, but not the accuracy.
When Hook once again missed another penalty from the 10 metre line, the Ospreys, despite their possession, and a strong penalty count in their favour, were just three points ahead.
Crucially they scored a try within a minute when Hook was able to chip ahead and in the race for the line Scottish international Nikki Walker prevailed ahead of Connacht's Liam Bibo in his first start in a Magners League fixture.
Despite the wind the Ospreys could only add another three from Hook when Connacht skipper John Muldoon was sinbinned.
When Bennett also was sidelined with a yellow card early in the second half, Connacht's Ian Keatley struck Connacht's first points. However it proved to be their only score.
With the introduction of Duncan Jones, Connacht immediately conceded a penalty in the scrum and Hook landed his third penalty on 72 minutes to secure the first away points of the season.
CONNACHT:F Carr, L Bibo, G Duffy, K Matthews, J Hearty, I Keatley, F Murphy, B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris, M McCarthy, A Farley, J Muldoon (capt), R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: A Flavin for Cronin (69 mins), R Loughney for Morris (69 mins), Troy Nathan for Keatley (75 mins)..
OSPREYS:L Bryne, N Walker, S Parker, A Bishop, T Bowe, J Hook , R Webb, P James, H Bennett, C Griffiths, I Gough, I Evans, A Lloyd, M Holah, R Jones (capt). Replacements: E Shervington for Bennett (56 mins), F TiaTia for Lloyd (60 mins), A Jones for Gough (65 mins), R Wells for Webb (65 mins), D Jones for James (69 mins).
Referee:Neil Patterson (Scotland)
