Ospreys 33 Connacht 18:CONNACHT went into this clash on the back of four victories but they were clinically disposed of by the Magners League champions. Eric Elwood's men had their opportunities but poor handling cost them dearly.
Ian Keatley nudged Connacht into an early lead at the Liberty Stadium with a well-struck penalty after just three minutes.
Dan Biggar drew the scores level on 19 minutes with a drop-goal but Connacht grabbed a foot-hold in the game after 23 minutes with a well-taken try. Keatley cut inside, beating several defenders and fed Brian Tuohy who timed his run superbly to allow Johnny O’Connor come around on the loop and squeeze in at the corner. Keatley missed the touchline conversion.
By the break, Ospreys were back ahead through a Biggar penalty and a Richard Fussell try. Things got worse for Connacht at the start of the second half when Tom Prydie made it in at the corner.
A Keatley penalty on 56 minutes brought the score to 21-11 but then Sonny Parker found the space to cross for Ospreys and effectively close out the game.
With 73 minutes on the clock Mike Swift barged his way over to give Connacht a slim chance and Miah Nikora converted to bring the scores to 26-18. But a Mefin Davies try sealed the bonus point for the home side.
OSPREYS: R Fussell; T Prydie, S Parker, A Beck, H Dirksen; D Biggar, R Webb; D Jones, H Bennett, C Griffiths, I Gough, I Evans, T Smith, J Tipuric (capt), J Collins. Replacements: R Bevington for Jones (50 mins), M Davies for Bennett (53 mins), A Bishop for Beck (67 mins), C Cross for Griffith (68 mins), J King for Evans (74 mins)
CONNACHT: G Duffy; B Tuohy, N Ta’auso, T Nathan, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, J Hagan, M Swift, M McCarthy, A Browne, J O’Connor (capt), R Ofisa Treviranus. Replacements: C Willis for Murphy (49 mins), K Matthews for Nathan, R Ah You for Hagan (both 53 mins), B Upton for McCarthy (62 mins), M Nikora for Keatley (65 mins), R Loughney for Wilkinson (68 mins).
Referee: Stefano Penn (ITL)
