Holley: Too close for comfort

Ospreys coach admits last gasp conversion was 'get out of jail'

By Simon Dilger Last updated: 5th October 2008

Holley: 'Get out of jail'

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Ospreys coach Sean Holley has admitted there are "a few bruised egos" in his star-studded side after they narrowly escaped defeat to a second string Harlequins on Sunday.

A last gasp conversion by James Hook after Tommy Bowe's late try saw the defending champions scrape home by a single point in their EDF Energy Cup first round clash at Liberty Stadium.

Quins, missing several key players, staging a second half fightback that left the hosts staring defeat in the face with just minutes to go.

"It was a classic get out of jail situation," said Holley. "It was a bit too close for comfort.

"Quins deserve a lot of credit - they were very tenacious - and there are clearly elements of the game for us to work on.

"Perhaps everyone in the world, except the 22 guys in the Quins dressing room, expected a 50-pointer.

"We are making no excuses. We were really tested, but apart from an injury to Sonny Parker (chest), there were no other (injury) problems, just a few bruised egos."

Brilliantly-crafted

None of Holley's superstars shone particularly brightly however, despite winger Shane Williams scoring a brilliantly-crafted try and Bowe touching down during the dying seconds.

Hook, prior to his injury time winner, had managed to find the target with just three kicks from seven attempts.

And Holley suggested that maybe the narrow escape would benefit his side.

He added: "I am glad we've had a significant test today - some people were perhaps starting to believe their own press.

"You want fabulous individuals in your team, which we've got, but it is about the sum of the parts.

"The challenge is to be less individual - we spoke about having a team emphasis today - but at times, we didn't get it."

Quins rugby director Dean Richards admitted his side, in which flanker Chris Robshaw was the lone survivor from their hard-fought Premiership victory at Worcester, were understandably heartbroken at the final whistle.

"The boys are very disappointed," he said. "We didn't have a good first-half - we showed the Ospreys too much respect - but then we took it to them in the second-half.

"We have a lot of ability across the board in our squad, and we don't have a second team as such. We had five internationals out there.

"We got ourselves into a position whereby we could, and should, have won the game."