Match-winner: James Hook
The Ospreys had to rely on a late James Hook penalty to see off Aironi 12-10 in a nervy win that booked their spot in the Magners League play-offs.
Dan Biggar became only the second Ospreys player to reach 500 points in the Magners League as he kicked nine points, but four missed penalties by the fly-half almost cost his side.
Aironi had come within minutes of only their second victory in the Magners League. Danwel Demas scored the only try of the game for the Italians, while Tito Tebaldi kicked five-points.
The Ospreys headed into the game relying on the Scarlets to beat Cardiff, or a bonus-point victory for themselves. That never looked likely as the Aironi defence stayed strong throughout, but their ill-discipline gave Biggar plenty of opportunities.
After missing an effort in the opening minutes, Biggar made no mistake with his second on 18 minutes and brought up his personal milestone.
However, Aironi battled back and wing Demas scored the contests only try on the half-hour mark. Tebaldi's conversion gave the Italians a four-point advantage at the interval.
A penalty from Tebaldi increased the lead eight-minutes into the second half but Biggar hit back with two kicks of his own to leave the tie finely balanced at 10-9.
With news that the Scarlets were beating Cardiff coming through, Ospreys knew they only needed another score to take them into the play-offs and Hook stepped up to the plate.
The scorers:
For Aironi:
Tries: Demas
Con: Tebaldi
Pen: Tebaldi
For Ospreys:
Pen: Biggar 3, Hook
Aironi: 15 Horacio San Martin, 14 Matteo Pratichetti, 13 Gilberto Pavan, 12 Gabriel Pizarro, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 James Marshall, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Gareth Krause, 7 Josh Sole, 6 Joshua Furno, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys (capt), 4 Marco Bortolami, 3 Fabio Staibano, 2 Luigi Ferraro, 1 Alberto De Marchi.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 George Biagi, 20 Nicola Cattina, 21 Pablo Canavosio, 22 Giulio Toniolatti, 23 Riccardo Bocchino.
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 4 Ryan Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Duncan Jones, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Tom Smith 21 Tom Isaacs, 22 Ashley Beck, 23 Sonny Parker.
Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU)
Assistant referees: Alan Falzone (Italy), Filippo Bertelli (Italy)
Comments
SpanishJack says...
Oh dear, what is happening at the Liberty? A team of stars win by two points against a team, new to the league, obviously out of their depth and have only won one game previously. Much has been written about the doubtful skills of the management and, it seems that players have put their transfer signatures where their mouths are. To me Bigger is most definately not better and we all know that the success of any team hangs on the No 10 Hook. With points so VITAL for a play off position, how could such a star team mess up so badly and leave the outcome so tight. Player skill and tallent is not in question. That leaves attitude and game planning. Both are the indirect and direct responsibility of management respectively. Time for a big change at the top. By the way, after tonight's performance, the Spanish Jack says, next year, Scarlets rule. So impressive tonight.
Posted 22:57 06th May 2011