Ospreys win but no bonus

The Ospreys stay in the hunt for the Magners League title after beating Connaght at the Liberty Stadium but missed out on a bonus point.

The Ospreys followed up first-half tries for centre Jonathan Spratt and flanker Steve Tandy with a score for wing Jonny Vaughton halfway through the second period, but could not force the fourth try which would have earned the bonus point.

Connacht's late consolation came through replacement centre Troy Nathan.

The Ospreys crossed for the first try as early as the third minute.

Full-back Gareth Owen and Spratt set up the position before a neat inside pass from Vaughton sent Spratt over the converted score.

Already without 11 players on Six Nations duty and another three internationals injured, the Ospreys suffered another setback when hooker Richard Hibbard limped off with an ankle injury after only 24 minutes.

After that Connacht had much the better of the territorial battle but had only a 30th-minute penalty by Keatley to show for their efforts.

Stray boot

That was cancelled out in first-half injury time with a long-range penalty from Biggar after John Muldoon had been spotted using a stray boot in a ruck.

And a try a minute later gave the Ospreys a 15-3 interval lead. Tandy went over in the left corner after taking a long pass from Biggar.

After the break, Connacht continued to play most of the rugby but had little to show for it, Keatley missing a penalty after 57 minutes.

Just as in the first half the Ospreys made much more of the possession they had, going in for their third try after 64 minutes when Vaughton went in at the left corner. Biggar converted to make it 22-3.

That was after the Ospreys had introduced Filo Tiatia and Marty Holah into the fray.

But there was not to be a bonus-point try for the home side, as Connacht grabbed a late consolation with a 78th-minute converted try for replacement centre Troy Nathan.