Ospreys' play-off hopes dented by Connacht loss
Ospreys have lost each of their past two URC matches
- Published
United Rugby Championship
Connacht (7) 21
Tries: Hurley-Langton 2, Devine Cons: Naughton 3
Ospreys (7) 14
Tries: Kasende, L Morgan Cons: Edwards 2
Ospreys' hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs suffered a big blow as they were beaten 21-14 in Galway by Connacht.
Mark Jones' side might have been ahead and will feel they could have got more from a contest that was settled by a late try from Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine.
Two tries from Shamus Hurley-Langton and six points from Sean Naughton's boot helped the home side to a narrow victory that was always in the balance.
Daniel Kasende and Luke Morgan scored tries for the visiting Ospreys and Dan Edwards kicked four points.
The defeat means Ospreys are huge outsiders to reach the play-offs, despite a valiant display in Galway.
Late try settles game
Jones' side will feel bitterly disappointed to have lost a game in which they were always a threat and always competitive, with the hosts' late try coming after a contest Ospreys dominated for large parts.
It was Connacht who went ahead in a contest where the swirling wind was always a factor as back-rower Hurley-Langton bundled over after sustained pressure.
However, the Ospreys grew into the contest and Kasende's gallop saw them score a try of their own, before Jac Morgan's try on the stroke of half-time was overturned by the TMO following a forward pass.
Hurley-Langton claimed his second try after the break before Luke Morgan crossed out wide as Ospreys made the most of an advantage after Darragh Murray had been sent to the sin-bin.
However, with the game in the balance it was Jac Morgan who was sent to the sin-bin and Naughton's excellent break set up Devine's late try as the hosts took advantage of their own numerical advantage to secure a hard-fought victory.
How they lined up
Connacht: Naughton; Jennings, Forde, Aki, Treacy; Ioane, B Murphy; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham, N Murray, D Murray, J Murphy, Hurley-Langton, Boyle (capt)
Replacements: Victory, Bohan, Illo, O'Connor, O'Brien, Devine, Carty, McCormack.
Ospreys: Walsh; Kasende, Boshoff, K Williams, L Morgan; D Edwards, L Davies; S Thomas, L Lloyd, Henry, R Davies, Sutton, Ratti, J Morgan (capt), Morse.
Replacements: Parry, Phillips, Warren, Smith, Fender, M Morris, H Williams, Nagy.
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistants: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Tomás O'Sullivan (Ireland)TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)