Ospreys snatch late victory

Shane Williams scored a try six minutes into injury time to take the wind out of Sale.

Wales winger Shane Williams was the toast of Swansea after his try six minutes into injury time saw Ospreys steal the most unlikely of victories against Sale Sharks.

Having spent long spells of the second period penned in their own half, the home side had looked out of the contest at 16-10 down going into added time. However, a late spell of concerted pressure saw Williams nip through a gap in the defence to score his second try of the match.

And sensibly, the man of the match touched down as close to the posts as possible to allow James Hook to tag on the match-winning conversion.

For Sale it was a hammer blow. Having trailed 10-0 after seven minutes, they showed great character to claw their way level by half-time and then lead going into injury time. Juan Fernandez Lobbe scored their only try while Charlie Hodgson slotted over a conversion and three penalties.

The Ospreys had got off to a lightning fast start when Sale were caught offside at the breakdown after just 46 seconds. Shaun Connor, starting after Gavin Henson pulled out injured, slotted over the penalty.

Worse was to follow for the visitors when Williams scooted over for his first try. Justin Marshall's break from his own half had Sale on the back foot before two phases drew in the defenders and opened up the space for Williams to exploit.

Connor's conversion saw Ospreys 10-0 in front after just seven minutes.

However, Sale's response was immediate. Hodgson's kick-off sailed into the home side's 22 and although the forwards gathered it up, Lee Byrne's attempted clearance was charged down for Fernandez Lobbe to pounce.

Hodgson tagged on the extras but both he and Connor then saw penalties miss their target. Daniel Larrechea, on for the injured Mark Cueto, also missed with an effort as mistakes dogged the rest of the half.

Sale, in particular, were guilty of failing to make the most of their openings.

However, with Ospreys down to 14 men after Brent Cockbain had been sin-binned for stamping, Sale finally drew level four minutes into first-half injury time - Hodgson finding his range with another penalty.

Hopes the second half would see an improvement in play failed to materialise, with neither side able to stamp their authority on the encounter.

Sale, at least, did move in front with a Hodgson penalty on 49 minutes, while the visitors provided the brighter attacking play as both Richard Wigglesworth and Fernandez Lobbe were hauled down short after encouraging breaks.

The Ospreys just could not get out of their half as Sale stepped up the pressure and although the home defence remained resolute, Hodgson was on target with his third penalty of the night

However, that kick with six minutes left sparked an Ospreys revival as they fought desperately for the win. Two kicks at goal were spurned as they looked for a try and the tactic paid dividends when Williams stole in for his moment of glory.