Ospreys off to winning start

OSPREYS 17, EDINBURGH 11.

Welsh rugby’s rising star James Hook lived up to his growing reputation by securing a winning start to the Magners League for the Ospreys.
The 21-year-old fly-half looked the junior member of the Ospreys dream-team between mega-stars Justin Marshall and Gavin Henson in his first start at regional level.
But Hook, who made his Wales debut during the summer, took over the kicking duties and banged four from four to clinch a 17-11 win.
Lee Byrne went over to score on his Ospreys debut but Hook’s performance in front of goal stole the show amid a dis-jointed display.
Byrne was one of several new faces including Brent Cockbain and Ryan Jones, returning from long-term injuries that virtually wiped out last season, as well as Tal Selley but the Ospreys trailed 8-5 at the break.
Shane Williams and Marshall produced glimpses of excitement but mistakes cost Ospreys at both ends as Edinburgh took an early lead.
Byrne knocked on under little pressure and Chris Paterson and Hugo Southwell combined from the resulting scrum to send Simon Webster over in the corner on 31 minutes.
Wales full-back Byrne made amends with a try on his debut five minutes later.
Huw Bennett pushed down the right, Williams and Jones took on the charge before Byrne wriggled out of the tackle of two defenders to touch the ball down over the line.
Chris Paterson nosed Edinburgh in front but twice Hook levelled for the Ospreys before giving them the lead for the first time with just seven minutes remaining.
The Ospreys had to survive two long-range drop-goal attempts by Edinburgh before Hook sealed the result in the final minute with his fourth penalty.

Ospreys: Try – L Byrne. Pens – J Hook (4).
Edinburgh: Try – S Webster. Pens – C Paterson (2).

Referee: Donald Courtney (Ireland)
Attendance: 7,067