{"id":19386,"date":"2021-01-24T15:17:57","date_gmt":"2021-01-24T19:17:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=19386"},"modified":"2021-01-25T10:19:58","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T14:19:58","slug":"ospreys-defeat-connacht-to-secure-first-win-in-ireland-since-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=19386","title":{"rendered":"Ospreys Defeat Connacht To Secure First Win In Ireland Since 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Guinness PRO14, The Sportsground, Co. Galway 24\/1\/2021 Connacht vs Ospreys Ospreys’ Rhys Webb and Gavin Thornbury of Connacht (\u00a9INPHO\/Bryan Keane)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Rhys Webb responded to his omission from Wales\u2019 Six Nations squad with two tries in Ospreys\u2019 impressive come-from-behind 26-20 win at Connacht in Guinness PRO14.<\/p>\n

Trailing 17-5 at half-time after converted scores from Alex Wootton and Paul Boyle, Ospreys bounced back from captain Justin Tipuric\u2019s sin-binning to claim their first victory in Ireland since September 2016.<\/p>\n

Adding to George North\u2019s early try, Wales prospect Mat Protheroe and Webb both crossed in a profitable five-minute spell. Webb then bagged the winning try from a 67th-minute maul.<\/p>\n

A forward pass from Conor Fitzgerald prevented Connacht winger Wootton from touching down early on, and instead it was Ospreys who hit the front in the eighth minute.<\/p>\n

Dan Lydiate\u2019s charge-down, coupled with a strong counter ruck, allowed them to build pressure, and some neat interplay between North, Tipuric and Dan Evans ended with the winger crossing for an unconverted try.<\/p>\n

Toby Booth\u2019s side soon gobbled up ground through Sam Parry and Rhys Davies \u2013 only for John Porch and Wootton to rip the ball free.<\/p>\n

As Connacht hunted down their elusive first try, Owen Watkin did well to deny Wootton in the left corner, but it was a case of third time lucky for the former Ireland Sevens international in the 29th minute.<\/p>\n

A Kieran Marmion tackle dislodged the ball from Kieran Williams\u2019 grasp, allowing Fitzgerald to dart downfield unopposed and send the supporting Wootton over for a seven-pointer.<\/p>\n

With Wales prop Rhodri Jones coughing up scrum penalties, Connacht went for the jugular approaching the interval. Tipuric\u2019s maul offence earned him a yellow, and Boyle brilliantly barged over from Marmion\u2019s inside pass.<\/p>\n

Fitzgerald\u2019s conversion extended the lead to 12 points, yet the 14-man Ospreys replied in terrific fashion.<\/p>\n

Protheroe went over in the 47th minute for a timely seven-pointer, having sparked a fleet-footed move down the right involving North and Williams.<\/p>\n

Stephen Myler also converted his half-back partner Webb\u2019s 51st-minute sidestepping score from a close-in maul, before Fitzgerald made it 20-19 by punishing a Lydiate offside.<\/p>\n

Then it was Ospreys\u2019 turn again to force the issue, narrowly missing out on a maul try before a messy series of five-meter scrums, under referee Frank Murphy\u2019s watch, ate up the clock.<\/p>\n

However, a well-supported Webb was unstoppable from a subsequent lineout drive in the left corner. Myler converted for good measure, ensuring a fourth straight home defeat for Connacht in all competitions.<\/p>\n

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