Ospreys soar in Europe

Ospreys secured themselves a place in the last eight of the Heineken Cup with a tense 28-21 victory over Bourgoin.

The Magners League side picked the perfect time to record their first ever win in France as they made certain of their progression from Pool Three.

Although Gloucester did manage to beat Ulster to finish on top, Ospreys' four-point haul on the final weekend was enough to make them one of the two best runners-up.

They certainly made hard work of winning on their travels despite holding a comfortable 18-6 lead at half time.

That advantage was down to just seven points in the closing stages and when Lee Byrne was sin-binned, Bourgoin looked set to score a try that could have levelled the scores and sent the Ospreys tumbling out of the tournament.

However, Lyn Jones' troops did not melt under pressure, instead scoring a crucial try at the other end through replacement Jonathan Thomas that made sure of their progression.

Early stages

Bourgoin, with nothing to play for but pride, twice took the lead in the early stages through Sebastien Laloo's boot.

James Hook pegged the hosts back with two penalties of his own and as the opening half wore on it was the Ospreys who took control.

Number eight Filo Tiatia swapped positions with centre Sonny Parker to set up their opening try, the New Zealander making the most of a reprieve for a high tackle minutes earlier that could well have seen him carded.

Although his barnstorming run was stopped short of the line the Ospreys intelligently moved the ball quickly out wide to winger Shane Williams, who galloped in on the right.

Byrne's try soon after also came off the back of the pack's hard work. A catch-and-drive from a line-out was moved within a metre of the line on the left, leaving space out on the other flank for the full-back to slide over.

Bourgoin blew a great chance to hit back early in the second half when Morgan Parra's pass to Matthieu Nicolas was ruled forward by referee Wayne Barnes with the line begging.

Boost

Despite the disappointment the French side seemed to be boosted by the near miss, making no mistake soon after with a drive from a line out.

Prop Karena Wihongi came up with the ball from the pile of bodies to claim the try and put the game back in the balance, even if Laloo did miss the relatively easy kick at the posts to leave the score at 18-11 in Ospreys' favour.

Hook pushed the advantage back into double figures with his third penalty of the afternoon only for Parra to reply with a kick in front of the posts to set up a thrilling finish as the game moved into injury time.

Byrne's yellow card for a deliberate foul may have left his team-mates a man short until the final whistle but it also saved a potential Bourgoin try, a moment that proved critical as Ospreys clinched the game through Thomas.

The flanker's try was greeted with a huge sigh of relief from the travelling fans who had been forced to endure a nervous finale in the afternoon sunshine.

Florian Denos' late chip and chase only resulted in a consolation score for the home side as they finished yet another forgettable European campaign with a fifth Pool loss in six outings.