Ospreys power to Cup glory

Ospreys put their Heineken Cup woes behind them with a 23-6 victory over Leicester in the EDF Energy Cup Final at Twickenham.

The Welsh side finally collected some silverware just a week after crashing out of Europe following a shock loss to Saracens.

James Hook kicked 13 points and had a hand in both Ospreys tries at the same venue where he inspired his country to a remarkable comeback against England in the RBS Six Nations.

As the match began it looked as if it would be all Leicester, who barely lost possession for the first 15 minutes.

But as Ospreys composed themselves they began to flow and their inventiveness in attack and grim determination in defence was to be the difference between the two teams.

Early pressure

Andy Goode missed an opportunity to give Leicester an early lead after just three minutes, hitting an ambitious 51 metre attempt from inside his own half well short of the posts.

But, when Ospreys gave away another penalty two minutes later, it was much easier for the fly-half to find the target from shorter distance to put Leicester in front.

Piling pressure on the Osprey line, the Tigers could have scored just past the 10 minute mark but some strong tackling against repeated drives eventually paid off for the Ospreys.

Goode drifted a 45 metre goal attempt just wide on 14 minutes but two minutes later was back on target with a 30 metre drop goal in front of the posts to stretch the lead to 6-0.

Somewhat against the run of play Ospreys took the lead after 22 minutes through a combination of great attacking play and sloppy defending by the holders.

A strong drive by the forwards took the Magners League outfit to within 20 metres of their opponents line.

Quick ball out and Hook's offload found Andy Bishop, who slipped through four Leicester players to crash over for the try. Hook added the extras to give the Welsh side a 6-7 lead.

Ten minutes later Hook missed his second of three attempts, firing across the face of the posts from a tight angle out on the right.

Then it was Ospreys turn to spurn a clear scoring opportunity after some great build up play and rapid recycling had Leicester retreating towards their goal line.

But when the ball popped out of the ruck five yards out the attackers had no one to pick up allowing Leicester to clear.

Delightful

Trailing by just one going into the second half, Leicester missed another golden opportunity straight after the re-start when, with men over on the left Aaron Mauger slipped in possession, and the move ground to a halt.

Ospreys second score came on the 47-minute mark courtesy of a delightful move started by Shane Williams on the left.

A fantastic break by Byrne in the middle phase sliced the Leicester defence apart and the offload by Hook left Alen Wyn Jones to barge over near the right corner. Hook slotted a difficult kick to take the score to 6-14.

A Hook penalty 10 minutes later gave the Ospreys an 11-point buffer and left their rivals facing an uphill task to keep their hands on the trophy.

The Tigers kept up sustained pressure on the Osprey line and were almost rewarded when a five yard scrum saw them driven over.

But referee Irish referee Alain Rolland adjudged the ball to have been held up by a stalwart defence.

Hook turned the screws on Leicester on 72 minutes when slotting another great effort between the posts.

And, after a long stoppage to treat an injured Dan Hipkiss, he hit another to take the score to 6-23 with less than five minutes to go.

Ospreys were denied another try on 77 minutes after Williams passed forward but by then Ospreys fans didn't care. They were already celebrating a momentous win as the hail fell.