Bath overcome Ospreys

Luke Watson made an instant impact on his debut for Bath in their LV=Cup 21-11 home victory over the Ospreys.

The controversial South African international came off the bench at half-time to make his mark with the try that swung the game at The Rec.

Fellow newcomer Daniel Browne made his own contribution with a last-minute try to seal Bath's first win in any competition for two months and their first at home in this campaign.

The visitors, missing 29 players due to injury and international duties, were winning quicker ball in the loose than their opponents but were soon handing out penalties at the breakdown.

Ospreys did draw the first blood when Barry Davies built on an 80-metre kick up field by slotting over a penalty the 12th minute.

Ryan Davis raised Bath's hopes with a deft kick but did not seize a fairly simple penalty chance when James King fell the wrong side of a ruck.

Pressure

The strong blustery wind caused Ospreys some difficulty and they sent the ball out on the full, allowing Bath to maintain the pressure to set up a successful penalty for Davis.

Visiting fly-half Gareth Owen relieved Davies of kicking duties and needed a sighter before making it 6-3 from 40 metres out in the 35th minute.

At least there was a bright moment for Bath with the sight of England hooker Lee Mears coming on for his first game in five weeks as a replacement for Rob Hawkins, who went off with an ankle injury.

The second half saw Davis finally find his range with the boot, taking advantage of Ospreys' weak discipline in the loose to kick two penalties and give the home team a 9-6 lead.

Bath were handed their best chance of a try in the 66th minute when Barry Davies and Ashley Beck were helpless against a Davis high kick, but Tom Cheeseman failed to capitalise.

However, David Flatman made up for it not long after by forcing a penalty at the scrum and Watson barged his way over from the resulting catch-and-drive at the line out.

Ospreys kept fighting and a draw was in sight after skipper Jerry Collins set up flanker Justin Tipuric for a 77th minute try in the corner, though Matthew Jarvis failed to make the conversion.

Browne then capitalised on a mistake to score just before the final whistle, with Davis' successful conversion wrapping up the scoring.