Heineken Cup finalists Munster were still in the race to take the Celtic League crown from their hosts, who won the title last year, before last night’s game, but Wales wing Williams scorched over in either half before Jason Spice put the game beyond doubt with a third for defending champions the Ospreys. Gavin Henson had an enjoyable evening with the boot, landing a perfect five out of five at goal.
Munster managed just a penalty try and a Ronan O’Gara penalty during the first half and were shut out after the break as the Celtic League slipped out of their grasp for another season. Their problems were made all the worse by an ankle injury to second-row Paul O’Connell who limped off after 16 minutes with the Heineken Cup Final against Biarritz just a fortnight away.
However his loss last night was soon followed by his team losing the lead for the first and last time as Williams split the Munster defence straight down the middle. The tiny Wales wing escaped Ronan O’Gara and then Eugene McGovern’s clutches before evading Mike Pendergast before scorching over the line for a sensational solo score that was converted by Henson.
Munster hit back before half-time through their forward after Trevor Halstead and Anthony Foley had driven their team up field. The power of their pack forced the Ospreys to concede penalties that eventually saw Duncan Jones shown the yellow card and then Munster awarded a penalty try. However Munster failed to spark in the second half and were out-muscled and out-grafted by the hosts. Andrew Bishop’s break opened enough space for the unmarked Williams to sprint over in the corner before Spice wrestled his way over on the hour.
Ospreys: G Henson; J Vaughton, S Parker, A Bishop (S Terblanche, 72), S Williams; S Connor (M Jones, 78), J Spice (R Mustoe, 77); D Jones (capt) H Bennett (B Williams, 76), A Jones (P James, 74), A-W Jones, I Evans (L Bateman, 72), A Lloyd (P James, 41-46), J Thomas, S Tandy (J Bater, 46)
Tries – S Williams (2), J Spice
Cons – G Henson (3)
Pens – G Henson (2)
Munster: S Payne; A Horgan (T O’Leary, H-T), C Cullen (G Connolly, 59, T Ryan, 68, J O’Sullivan, 74), T Halstead, M Lawlor; R O’Gara, M Pendergast; E McGovern (D Varley, 65), D Fogarty, J Hayes, M O’Driscoll, P O’Connell (D O’Callaghan, 16), S Keogh, A Foley (capt), D Leamy
Try – Penalty
Con – R O’Gara
Pen – R O’Gara
Referee: Graeme Hannah (Scotland)
Attendance: 7,841
