Spark by electric Eli not enough

The Liberty fell silent on the final whistle. The match had been intense, with plenty of talking points, but both shell shocked sets of fans knew that this was not that good a result for either team.

Leicester fans were few and far between anyway given the eccentric scheduling. They are not usually this reserved though, even in smaller numbers.

Leicester know they now have to beat Toulouse. It's a showpiece fixture of European giants; winner take all. You'd think Leicester would be happy (the Ospreys fans knew they were out of both competitions) but this is a percentages team. Their desire to avoid losing as a result needs to be changed to a desire to win. That does not sit comfortably as it leaves them vulnerable and needing to play some rugby. That is anathema to them.

The Ospreys fans on the other hand had seen their team give their all, turning the Leicester tide in the second half (which had seen them score two tries) to score an excellent try of their own to secure the draw at least and a chance of victory.

Which leads us to Dan Biggar's kicking. I'm no expert, but I thought you should point the ball at the posts. Dan seems to only half point it to the posts. I have no idea what the logic is. It usually works for him; not this time though. 2 from 7 kicks. Not enough.

To be fair, three penalties in the first half were right on the edge of his capability. He hit the woodwork twice with these efforts, but the modern game does not it seem require wingers to hare after long kicks to challenge for any rebound off the posts.

You could argue that the hardest of the lot was the conversion that could have won the game. Biggar waited on the touch line as the referee pointlessly went to the TMO. The biggest kick of his season and he had time to think about it. He pushed it.

I do not blame young Mr Biggar for the Ospreys failure to win. You can't get much closer than hitting the woodwork three times. He'd also been instrumental in a dogged Osprey performance and his kicking from hand had been excellent.

In the first half the bounce of the ball was largely with the Ospreys. Their first try was a flowing move resulting from an acrobatic tap down from young winger Tom Habberfield, chasing a kick, which fell into Biggar's lap. Breaks by Hibbard and Fotolaui'i in midfield made quick ball for Bevington to carry up the touch line. Excellent hands by Lions contender Tipuric kept the move alive for the fantastic Joe Bearman to smash through last gasp Leicester tackling for a top class try.

Leicester's only recourse was to buy a penalty. Ben Youngs dramatically holding the ball against excellent second row King as he tried to retreat duped the referee. The embattled Tigers could have gone in at half time with the score at 19-0 with a man in the bin. As it happened it was 10-3 and the Ospreys needed to score first in the second half.

They didn't. No match flows in one direction throughout. In the third quarter it was Leicester's turn to dominate possession, go through the phases and get field position. They are frighteningly good at it when they get it together. Ben Youngs sniped in from short range for one and full back Morris squeezed into the corner for another, the Ospreys defence for once seemingly impotent.

Toby Flood, who at one stage must surely have felt he would have to sit this game out after his controversial tackle of former team mate Andy Goode, missed the touch line conversion.

It was as if a switch was flicked in the Liberty. The fans believed, the players believed, that they had been given a chance.

Then Eli Walker had the ball.

If ever the mantle of Shane Williams is to be picked up by a successor, then surely it will be Eli. He set off on a mazy run from the ten yards line. Within seconds he'd beaten half the Tigers and was in the 22. Finally a Tiger caught its prey, but quick recycling by the Ospreys put Jonathan Spratt in at the corner.

It brought the scores level with five minutes to play. Fotolaui'i had doubtlessly played well in the first half. However he undid all of that good work in the second period. His decisions of when to kick were bizarre, no more so than in the crucial final throes when the Ospreys should have kept the ball at all costs. Further the execution of his kicks was poor and I for one was amazed at the Man of the Match call.

Kahn not Dan threw this win away.

Ospreys v Leicester Tigers
ERC round 5.

Liberty Stadium 13/1/13

Att: 13,126 1/2

Sky MOTM - Kahn Fotolaui'i
My MOTM - 'Electric' Eli Walker

OSPREYS 15
Tries: Bearman, Spratt Cons : Biggar Pens: Biggar
LEICESTER 15
Tries: Youngs, Morris Cons : Flood Pens: Flood

Ospreys: Fussell; Haberfield, Isaacs, Bishop, Walker; Biggar, Fotuali'i, Bevington, Hibbard, A Jones, Gough, King, R Jones, Tipuric, Bearman.

Leicester: Tait; Morris, Tuilagi, Allen, Thompstone; Flood, B Youngs, Ayerza, T Youngs, Cole, L Deacon, Parling, Mafi, Salvi, Crane.

Pretty accurate write up well done, like the use of electric and spark... Very clever...!

This was a good result for Leicester so not sure about your opening statement. They always had to win next week but now they have taken the bonus points out of the equation.

It's a good result then, you're happy with it, well done.

When wtiting about Ospreys very good review - though harsh on Kahn.

Rather mealy mouthed about Tigers frankly. While Ospreys had more of the play and should have won, some of the comments show serious lack of grace.

And I know which you mean, but I'm not an Osprey fan. Grace doesn't come into it.

LondonTiger wrote:When wtiting about Ospreys very good review - though harsh on Kahn.

Rather mealy mouthed about Tigers frankly. While Ospreys had more of the play and should have won, some of the comments show serious lack of grace.

Tigers were very lucky, penalties flowing their way in questionable circumstance. The concerted penalty as a result of Ben Youngs holding on was more than dubious and Psychologically beneficial.

Biggar missed Kicks and Khan was off form, Ospreys were better in the front five, around the breakdown and in defence for at least 75% of the game.

Well done Tigers. Disappointed they didn't hold on for the win but enough to set up a big game against another Heinken Cup powerhouse.

Should be a cracker against Toulose. The groups are shaping up nicely.

The article seems a bit one-eyed considering the author is an esteemed 'WRITER'. I can understand a bit of fan bias but this is a bit much.

Tigers were very lucky, penalties flowing their way in questionable circumstance.

I'd say the opposite. Lacey allowed Kahn to pass from the base of collapsed scrums, Dan Cole being pinged three times for legitimate steals and Tipuric not seeing red for diving under no contact from Tait when he realised he'd kicked it to far.

The Ospreys were always going to struggle as Tigers power game doesn't tire. The Tigers bench was strong and the Ospreys needed a big lead in order to force the Tigers to chase the game and allow things to break up enough for the Ospreys back three to do their thing.

Eccentric scheduling?!

Poor grammar throughout spoils an otherwise informative article.

See, I told you nobody would be happy...

P.s. grammar I don't knows about doesnt count like

What's wrong with eccentric scheduling? Is 'Bonkers kick off time' better?

Ha ha ha...!

I thought you did a great job mate.

Tigers continue to go under the radar both in the AP and HC. Quietly going about their business effectively.

beshocked wrote:Tigers continue to go under the radar both in the AP and HC. Quietly going about their business effectively.

Quite. Whereas Ospreys go gentle into that good night once again.

Bit harsh Cyril. The O's are still a good side. They beat Toulouse at home after all which has helped Leicester. 4th in the Pro12 is still good.

It's just in the HC the O's for whatever reason find it tough.

In this case Biggar getting 2 out of 7 simply isn't good enough as you already said Glas a du.

Some people seem to underestimate the importance of a decent kicker.

Yes. Rugby is a great game due to the drama of an usually reliable kicker struggling. Flood missed a third of his attempts also though, unusual for him and the Tigers, but he had his blushes saved.

Sorry, silly me, he missed half of his kicks.

beshocked wrote:Bit harsh Cyril. The O's are still a good side. They beat Toulouse at home after all which has helped Leicester. 4th in the Pro12 is still good.

It's just in the HC the O's for whatever reason find it tough.

In this case Biggar getting 2 out of 7 simply isn't good enough as you already said Glas a du.

Some people seem to underestimate the importance of a decent kicker.

Aye possibly a bit harsh. Ospreys aren't bad and, yes, they did do Tigers a favour.

They're just so difficult to like though

I get that Cyril, you are quite right.

Who are Osprey's options at fly half?

Biggar and Morgan. I don't know if there are other peripheral players or decent outside halfs being changed into centres/wings/full backs.

I ask because I think it's an area that both the O's and Wales must look at.

It doesn't bode well for Wales if Biggar is in this form and starting in the 6 nations.

What about young prospects in the U20s and lower age levels?

Don't worry, outside halves grow on trees down here.

Sam Davies, Nigel's son is looking good as a back up flyhalf.

I like Sam Davies, just saying!!!