Guinness PRO12: Ospreys hold on to win at Munster

Jeff Hassler: Canadian wing crossed for a try

Dan Biggar kicked 14 points as the Ospreys claimed a stunning 19-14 win at Munster.

It was Munster's second defeat this season at what is usually their Thomond Park fortress - they were beaten by Edinburgh on the opening day of the season.

It was no surprise that the first half remained tight between these Guinness PRO12 heavyweights, with the Welsh region going into the break 10-8 ahead through Jeff Hassler's converted try and Biggar's penalty.

The Irish side's response came from Gerhard van den Heever's touchdown and Ian Keatley's three-pointer before the fly-half took them into the lead in the second half from the tee.

Biggar and Keatley then traded penalties to give the home side a 14-13 advantage, but the Ospreys controlled the final quarter and their pivot sealed the victory.

Despite the shock opening day defeat to Edinburgh, Anthony Foley's men responded well to that setback in rounds two and three, winning matches against Benetton Treviso and Zebre.

However, they were expected to overcome the Italian teams comfortably and a truer test came in this match against the Welsh region.

A youthful Ospreys side went into this encounter having won three games from three, but Munster opened the brighter and went into a 5-0 lead through van den Heever's try.

That didn't last for long, though, as the visitors manufactured a position for Canadian wing Hassler to go over in the corner.

Biggar expertly converted before the stand-off added a penalty to take them 10-5 ahead after 32 minutes.

Keatley reduced that deficit at the break with a three-pointer of his own and regained Munster's lead two minutes into the second half with another successful kick.

Rynier Bernardo was then sin-binned for the visitors but the hosts were unable to take significant advantage as the respective fly-halves traded penalties while the lock was off the field.

That was to prove costly as the Ospreys gradually assumed command and successive Biggar efforts from the tee gave them a deserved win.