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Rugby Union

Leinster too strong for Ospreys

06/01/2008

Leinster have gone five points clear at the top of the Magners League thanks to a 26-15 win over Ospreys at Donnybrook.

The Irish side dominated proceedings and ran in five tries to claim a bonus point against a weakened Ospreys side, who were resting players ahead of a clash with Gloucester in the Heineken Cup next week.

Despite enjoying the best of the territory and possession it was not until midway through the first half that Leinster were able to break the deadlock.

Shane Jennings worked his way over for the first try after driving though from a line-out. Four minutes later fellow back-rower Jamie Heaslip doubled their lead.

Luke Fitzgerald and Felipe Contepomi exchanged passes and when Fitzgerald ran out of space near the touchline he simply off-loaded to Heaslip who completed the score under the posts.

Ospreys hit back through Shaun Connor, first the fly-half reduced their deficit with a penalty then he managed to jink through the Leinster defence for a superb solo try.

However his efforts were in vain as the home side added their third try just before the break. Contepomi set-up Simon Keogh to give Leister a 19-8 lead at half-time.

Soon after the resumption Ospreys' task was made even harder when scrum-half Mike Phillips was sin-binned for standing on an opponent.

Leinster took advantage of the extra man when Brian O'Driscoll and Girvan Dempsey combined to release Fitzgerald who scored the bonus point try.

Ben Lewis grabbed a late consolation effort for Ospreys but that only added respectability to the scoreline in a game that Leinster controlled from the outset.