Connacht beat the Ospreys by 15 points to 10

Ospreys Visit Galway
By LDTT
September 10 2006

Connacht have beaten the Neath-Swansea Ospreys in their first home Magners League clash of the season by 15 points to 10. Mark McHugh kicked 15 points as Connacht won by five. Keith Matthews made his first start of the season on the wing, coming in for Darren Yapp who moved to the bench.

A number of members of the independent Connacht rugby supporters club met in Garveys after the Ospreys game the topic of 'Man of the Match' was batted around for a while. McHugh was an obvious contender. Booting every penalty to somewhere beyond Tuam via the posts of course. Andrew Farley terrorising the Ospreys lineout. Paul Warwick finding the gaps in the Ospreys defense. And there we many others, who put in a fine afternoons work, but it was a big Ireland A international who got the nod at the end of it all. John Muldoon, in an evening where Connachts defense ruled supreme, it had to be the blindside flanker, who battered attackers back from the game line. As Johnny O'Connor did on numerous occasions for the province, hitting hard at ruck time, off opposition set pieces, Muldoon left no man standing.

But as they say, a strong defence is for nothing if you can't score. And it was a hard days grind for the Connacht backs. They took their time to break the gain line. On one occasion, going through four phases and ending up ten feet back, the Ospreys blitz defense worked very well. But Warwick has an eye for, and the pace to make, the spectacular outside break. Connachts best attacks of the evening usually stemmed from Williams smashing it up on first phase, and Warwick tearing through the Ospreys line off third or fourth phase. Not exactly the type of rugby that's good for a heart condition, but Connacht fans are well used to stressful days.

And what's more, the crowd loved it. They were quiet and a nervousness settled in the air as the crowd collectively hoped that the first round win over the Borders wasn't a false dawn for the new season. It wasn't until the last ten minutes of the half that the crowd came to life has wave after wave of Connacht attack smashed upon the desparate Ospreys defense. Camped on the visitors lines, Connacht were in control. The scoreboard read three a piece, however the Ospreys young outhalf had missed an easy kick early before making amends to draw his side level 10 minutes later.

But by the end of the half, Connacht were ruling the roost. McHugh was grubber kicking into the corners. They were pounding the Ospreys time after time, and only some timely (if somewhat inaccurate) interventions from the ref were keeping Connacht try-less. Then, Connacht were the victims of a sucker punch, with everyone pushed up into the attacking line, McHugh tried to kick in to the goal area for Matthews to score, but his chip was collected my Marshall in full stride and he raced the length of the field to score. Hook tagged on an amazing touchline conversion to leave the Ospreys in front 3-10 at the break.

Come the second half, the Ospreys remembered they had some claws as they tried to press their advantage. And despite some bizarre decisions by the ref and his touch judges, they couldn't find a way past Connachts defense. They would remain scoreless for the half. Not even a Henson drop goal effort would find the target. And all the while, McHugh popped over ever penalty the visitors conceeded within 60 metres of their posts. Truely amazing stuff from the man who legend holds once succeeded with a place kick from his own 22, with the help of a Galway gale it should be added!

Late on, Justin Marshall saw yellow for elbowing Tom Tierney in front of the ref, and as he headed for an early shower, one was left wondering why Cockbain hadn't seen red for some of the filth he'd imparted on the men of the West. Still, the Ospreys coach had withdrawn him with 15 minutes to go, so they probably saw the ref was getting fed up with the thugish antics. Gavin Henson was booed everytime he touched the ball after his spear tackle on Matt Mostyn went unpunished by the blind Irish touch judges, with the ref claiming to have missed the incident.

Regardless, the floodlights were working well, and the supporters were in full voice. The sound of Bodhráns were booming around the Sportsground as the fans chanted 'Connacht'. And as the arguements raged in Garveys about scottish refs, and if-onlys there were clear signs that this season, could finally be the one we've been waiting for. We've wandered in the wilderness for years, and now next May, the promised land awaits.

15. Matt Mostyn
14. Keith Mathews
13. Paul Warwick
12. Gavin Williams
11. Conor Mcphillips
10. Mark Mchugh
9. Chris Keane
8. Colm Rigney
7. Matt Lacey
6. John Muldoon
5. Andrew Farley
4. David Gannon
3. Stephen Knoop
2. Adrian Flavin
1. Brett Wilkinson
Replacements:
16. John Fogarty for Flavin, 53 mins
17. Michael Diffley for Wilkinson, 68 mins
18. Michael Swift
19. Brendan O'Cconnor
20. Tom Tierney for Keane, 63 mins
21. Darren Yapp
22. Daniel Riordan


Written by Mavrick