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<h1>Ospreys 19-26 Leinster </h1>
@@@@SPAN ="storyDate">Friday, 23 November 2007 21:33@@@@/SPAN>
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Leinster kept up their Magners League title challenge with a two-try victory over the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.
The home side, minus 17 squad players, had to settle for a losing
bonus point as Leinster secured third place in the table with
first-half tries for Shane Horgan and man of the match Rob Kearney with
Felipe Contepomi supplying 16 points with the boot.
The Ospreys did take the lead early in the second half with a try
for rookie Gareth Owen but Contepomi saw off the home challenge,
kicking three out of four penalty shots in the final 25 minutes.
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Brian O'Driscoll's influence helped the Irish province into a 17-12
lead with Shaun Connor keeping the Ospreys in touch with the boot.
The opening six minutes became something of a kicking contest as Scottish referee Andy Macpherson blew up continually.
Connor gave the Ospreys the lead with a 45 metre penalty goal in the
third minute from a scrum before Contepomi levelled two minutes later.
A second Connor penalty in the sixth minute restored the Ospreys'
advantage which could have been extended had wing Aled Brew controlled
his kick ahead towards the Irish line.
But after that it was almost all Leinster. A cultured up-and-under
from O'Driscoll was the start of the move which saw Horgan cross down
the right for a converted try.
And though Connor reduced the deficit with his third try Leinster
were soon on the try trail again. Contepomi put O'Driscoll through a
gap and the Leinster captain skilfully put Kearney over the line.
The Ospreys, who were minus nine internationals on duty for Wales
against South Africa tomorrow, were kept in touch at the break with a
well struck Connor drop-goal.
Leinster made urgent strides after the break to extend their
five-point advantage camping themselves in the Ospreys 22, but instead
of points they had Keith Gleeson yellow-carded.
And down to 14 men they conceded a try when Gareth Owen put the ball
on the line. The conversion from Connor gave the home side a 19-17 lead
on 51 minutes.
But it was short-lived with Contepomi converting penalties on 57 and
66 minutes. He kicked another which put the Irish province a converted
try in front.
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Originally Posted by Old Dog
