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European defeat drove us to final win, says Ospreys' Holah

12/04/2008

Ospreys flanker Marty Holah revealed that the pain of last week's Heineken Cup loss to Saracens drove them to win the EDF Energy Cup final today.

Holah's team overcame Leicester 23-6 at Twickenham to become the first Welsh team to lift the Anglo-Welsh tournament.

"It was tough to pick ourselves up after the loss to Saracens, but we re-focused in midweek," said Holah, who was named man-of-the-match in the showpiece event.

"We knew they would take us on up front so credit to the front five, it was a massive team effort to win this."

The Ospreys have spent big money to assemble a high-quality team, which has a number of the Wales Grand Slam-winning side including the likes of Shane Williams, James Hook, and Gavin Henson.

But for all their star players, the Ospreys have had a relatively poor season and the EDF Energy Cup was their last chance to claim a major trophy.

Relieved Ospreys coach Lyn Jones said: "That was a very important turning point for us, we've crossed that line of getting a win in a big game.

"The Saracens defeat was a kick in the pants, we were devastated. But this was our day. We're absolutely delighted, now we have to build on this success."

The victory for the Ospreys today would have meant a great deal to the players after they lost the EDF Energy final 41-35 to Leicester last season.