Ospreys soar past Exiles
The Ospreys are on the brink of the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup after they crushed London Irish 51-16.
Last Updated: 04/11/07 6:31pm
The Ospreys are on the brink of the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup after they crushed London Irish 51-16.
The Exiles had led 16-13 after 29 minutes, following Tomas de Vedia's try and 11 points from the boot of Eoghan Hickey.
However the Ospreys, last season's beaten finalists, ran in a total of seven tries - including a Shane Williams hat-trick - to leave the Welsh region needing just a bonus point from their final Group C match at Harlequins on December 2 to reach the last four.
James Hook and Hickey had exchanged early penalties, before de Vedia intercepted Andrew Bishop's long pass on the halfway to run in.
Hickey converted, however the scores were level at 10-10 when Lee Byrne and Gavin Henson combine to set Jonathan Thomas up f or a try. Hook added the extras.
However two Hickey penalties, sandwiching a Hook effort, saw the Exiles back into a 16-13 lead.
London Irish's joy was shortlived, though, as the Ospreys ran away with the victory.
Williams set the ball rolling, with his first try on 32 minutes - while the second half saw the home side run in five more tries.
Mike Phillips, Ben Lewis and Alun-Wyn Jones all added to the Ospreys tally, while Williams scored two more tries.
Hook finished the match with 14 points to complete the rout.
