Ospreys squeeze past Leeds

A depleted Ospreys side restored a modicum of pride to their disappointing LV= Cup campaign as they signed off with a 21-17 victory over Leeds Carnegie.

Shorn of many of their Wales international stars, the Ospreys fielded a much-changed team, but did just enough to emerge triumphant in what was effectively a dead rubber at the Liberty Stadium.

It was the visitors who were on the board first when fly-half Joe Ford landed an early penalty on 11 minutes.

But the Ospreys responded with the first try of the night eight minutes later with Hanno Dirksen starting and finishing a sweeping move.

Dirksen made the initial break as he weaved past two or three would-be tacklers before offloading to Ashley Beck - the ball was then recycled and the winger was on hand again to pick up and touch down in the corner under pressure. Tom Prydie added a fabulous conversion from the touchline.

Flanker Steve Tandy extended the lead on the half hour as he reacted quickest to a clever kick through by fly-half Gareth Owen to collect and slide over for a second try.

Prydie was on target once again with the conversion to push the lead to 14-3.

But Leeds rallied and ensured they went in at the break within range as, following a sustained period of pressure close to the Ospreys line, second-rower Erik Lund barged his way over to touch down - Ford added the extras.

But it was the hosts who started the second period on the front foot and they were eventually rewarded on the hour mark with an excellent solo score from scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown.

Number eight Tom Smith picked up off the back of scrum some 30 metres from the line and fed Nutbrown who showed a fine turn of pace to slice through visiting defence and touch down under the posts, leaving Prydie a simple conversion.

With time running out the home side appeared to be coasting to victory, but Leeds roused themselves in the closing stages and reduced the deficit after Ospreys replacement Ed Shervington was shown a yellow card for killing the ball after tackling Leigh Hinton in his own 22.

Leeds were subsequently awarded a penalty try after the hosts were punished for a couple more cynical infringements, the final straw coming when the back division were caught well off-side.

Ford converted from in front of the posts to cut the lead to four points, but Leeds could get no closer as Ospreys held on.