Ospreys 12 – 18 Ulster
A result few could see coming during the opening 40 minutes or beyond as Dan Biggar’s boot kept Ospreys edging slowly out of sight in a game where both sides appeared to be keeping something in reserve for the Heineken Cup.
At 12 – 0 down however, it finally became Paddy Jackson’s turn to take aim at the uprights. 18 unanswered points from six flawless kicks followed – including one belter from over 55 metres on the angle to give his side the lead – and Ulster got back to winning ways in Wales after their opening round defeat. Ospreys’ defeat is their first of the season.
YouTube credit: RaboDirect PRO12
Treviso 23 – 3 Connacht
Treviso’s third meeting with an Irish province in three weeks yielded their second win.
For Connacht, Friday was a night to forget, a night when nothing would seem to come off with the northern Italian side in hot pursuit of the four points.
Next up, Connacht face a much bigger challenge (in every sense) when Saracens roll into Galway on Heineken Cup duty. Can Pat Lam avoid a fifth consecutive defeat?
YouTube credit: RaboDirect PRO12
Munster 19 – 15 Leinster
It was tight, it was tense, but for Munster it was a tonic; the game that ended a losing streak against their nearest and dearest stretching four games in two years.
The second half brought Conor Murray in for his first appearance since returning from Lions duty, while Ian Keatley provided 14 points with five well-struck kicks out of seven – and another delivered cross-field into the arms of Keith Earls.
YouTube credit: RaboDirect PRO12
And the rest…
Dragons 30 – 7 Zebre
Having claimed their first ever win on their last trip to Wales, Zebre encouraged a sense of nervousness around Newport and Gwent this weekend. The Dragons are of a new breed this term though, and by the time Hallam Amos scored the first of his two tries, Jason Tovey had already provided the hosts with a 9 – 0 lead.
Two more converted tries were added to the tally in the second half, one either side of Leonardo Sarto’s response.
YouTube credit: RaboDirect PRO12
Scarlets 12 – 17 Glasgow
Two tries in the opening half hour gave Llanelli a mountain to climb against the league’s last unbeaten side.
The warriors were twice reduced to 14 men, but they were happy to frustrate the Welsh side and hold out for their fifth win from five this season and retain their place at the top of the league before taking on Toulon.
YouTube credit: RaboDirect PRO12
Cardiff Blues host Edinburgh this afternoon.
