Celtic League Match report/Dragons 13 Ospreys 27:After all the flak that has flown his way this season the Ospreys coach, Lyn Jones, can afford a wry smile as he ponders his side's status as favourites for the Celtic League title going into the final round.
Leinster face the Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park on Friday night knowing only a bonus-point win will do, because the following day the Ospreys should overcome the emotion of the Borders' last competitive game and build a sizeable score.
That would give the Ospreys one more win than Leinster - the criteria by which the competition's tightest finishes are decided. Cardiff need a big win against Leinster and the Borders to beat the Ospreys.
After an initial penalty by outhalf Aled Thomas, the visitors began to make their mark. Flanker Richie Pugh just failed to cross the line in the corner but, from the resulting scrum five, Andy Lloyd picked up from the base and powered over.
Wales centre James Hook failed to convert and, despite some stubborn resistance, the Ospreys moved up a gear.
Mistakes and nervous handling errors also proved costly for the Dragons and they paid the price on the half-hour when the Ospreys got their second try.
That came from a sweeping move across the backs inside the 22 as fullback Lee Byrne put winger Shane Williams through to slide home in the left corner.
Thomas booted the second of two penalties on 40 minutes.
The Ospreys ended the Dragons hopes with two more tries in quick succession, which secured the vital bonus point.
Williams' second score was bizarre as a short kick ahead along the left caught two home defenders at crossed purposes and the Wales flyer sneaked in to touch down.
The next came when a long defensive lineout metres from the Dragons line went wrong and replacement back row Filo Tiatia drove over from short range.
The Dragons got a consolation try at the end from Phil Dollman, which Thomas converted.
NEWPORT-GWENT DRAGONS:M Thomas; Wyatt, Maule, P Dolman, Norris; A Thomas, Walker; Maddocks, Daly, Corsi, Hall, Sidoli, Lydiatt, Bearman, Owen. Replacements: Emerick for P Dolman (80), S Thomas for Norris (67), Jones for Daly, Robinson for Corsi (bot 53). Subs not used: Gough, Ringer, Cooper.
OSPREYS:Byrne; Vaughton, Parker, Hook, S Williams; Connor, Spice; James, B Williams, Millward, Powell, A Jones, Thomas, Pugh, Lloyd. Replacements: Selley for Vaughton (65), A Bishop for Hook (73), Roberts for Spice (74), Hibbard for B Williams (65), D Jones for Millward (23), Beech for Powell (74), Tiatia for Lloyd (36).
Referee: Nigel Owens(WRFU).
