Dan Biggar: 25 points for Ospreys
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The Ospreys booked their place in the RaboDirect PRO12 final thanks to a comprehensive 45-10 win over Munster at Liberty Stadium on Friday.
It now means Shane Williams will now have a chance to end his distinguished career with some silverware if the Ospreys can beat either Leinster or Glasgow in the final.
The Welsh region took a 23-10 first-half lead with Dan Biggar scoring 18 points to go alongside a Kahn Fotuali'i touchdown, while Ian Keatley responded for the visitors with a try, conversion and penalty.
Another Biggar three-pointer extended their lead as they took control in the second period before Hanno Dirksen, Andrew Bishop and Rhys Webb tries sealed their RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final triumph.
Despite a mid-season slump, the Ospreys had gone into this game on a five-match winning streak. But Munster were unbeaten in three themselves and they opened the scoring after three minutes.
After Keith Earls had picked a nice line off Lifeimi Mafi, the outside centre off-loaded to Keatley who scampered clear. The visiting fly-half added the extras before the hosts hit back through the boot of Biggar.
The Welsh international then went over for a converted try after good work from Ryan Jones as they took an early 10-7 lead.
On 19 minutes, Keatley levelled matters with a penalty, but the Ospreys' fly-haf responded almost immediately with one of his own to restore their advantage.
Biggar added another three-pointer before he converted a long-range Fotuali'i touchdown, started by Richard Fussell in his own half.
A further penalty from the boot of the home side's fly-half saw them cruise out to a dominant 26-10 scoreline in the second period.
And they effectively secured their passage to the final when Dirksen crossed the whitewash in the corner.
Bishop and Webb then added a final flourish to proceedings with the Ospreys' fourth and fifth tries, Biggar converting both to end the match with a personal haul of 25 points.
The scorers:
For Ospreys:
Tries: Biggar, Fotuali'i, Bishop, Dirksen, Bishop, Webb
Cons: Biggar 4
Pens: Biggar 4
For Munster:
Try: Keatley
Con: Keatley
Pen: Keatley
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Joe Bearman, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 James King, 20 Tom Smith, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Tom Isaacs.
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Dave O'Callaghan, 20 Paddy Butler, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Ian Dineen.
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)
Comments
vaizpatu2011 says...
super Osprey all the way!!
Posted 04:30 12th May 2012
stumpy says...
Don't know an awful lot about the pro12. Someone tell me how Munster are conceding over 45 points? I thought the Munster way was grit and pedigree with an aggresive defense?!
Posted 01:22 12th May 2012
ThinkingGame says...
If I hadn't watched it happen, I wouldn't believe it had. The front 5 had a great scrum, confident line-out, awesome line speed and monstrous first up tackling. That gave the back row a platform to express themselves, and they did, swapping roles and turning ball over everywhere. Ryan and Tips were in top form, but Bearman impressed me most, because he's looked like a stranger for the Ospreys under Holley, but was back to his best tonight. Fotuali'i did the job he was picked for, a huge physical presence in defence and attacking the fringes, but also made some great decisions when opportunities were there. Lastly, the last time I saw an Ospreys backline carry that much threat and purpose throughout a game, Adrian Durston was at fullback.
A really special performance from the Ospreys, finally delivering on some of their promise. I hope they can back it up in the final.
Posted 00:35 12th May 2012
papachinzo says...
Ouch !! I wonder if Kidney and the IRFU we're watching ?. I'd say most Irish fan hoped they we're...
Posted 00:22 12th May 2012
jontheref says...
Take nothing away from Munster, they were good value for the trip.
Great start, had my head in my hands, but O's defence was immense.
Though rolland had a wayward performance, both teamswere penalised unfairly, but the breakout before halftime sealed the game.
O's subs fitted in better than Munsters.
All we need is Glasgow to do us a favour, and I'll be going to a home final!
Where do they get the attendance figures from?
There were more there than the Dragons game, yet they announce 4,000 less!
They were still buying tickets as the game kicked off!
Posted 00:08 12th May 2012
munster13 says...
munster would want to cop on a small bit
Posted 23:58 11th May 2012
wheelieb says...
they were great and they cant even moan about Rolland's performance..
Posted 22:34 11th May 2012
jcahill1 says...
Ouch.
Posted 21:55 11th May 2012
crunchfit says...
Munster were a bit embarrassing, Ospresys were very slick.
Posted 21:48 11th May 2012
ollieosprey says...
What a performance. Brilliant
Posted 21:38 11th May 2012